Marion Nelson Funeral Home - Lake Wales

Lester "Mike" Landes of Lake Wales passed away Monday, September 23, 2024, at AdventHealth Lake Wales. He was born July 14, 1957, in Harrisonburg, Virginia to the late Lester and Grace Landes; he moved to Lake Wales from Verona, Virginia in 1968. Mike was a dedicated tow truck driver and operator for Robinson Auto and Sunbelt Towing. He was a member of the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd. He was a family man who always loved spending time with his family. Mike was preceded in death by his sister, Lisa Brown. He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Cyndi Landes; daughters, Brandi Bailey of Lakeland and Kellie Donaway (Landon) of Lakeland; sons, Bobby Landes (Amber) of Lakeland, Levi...

Shirley Whitehead of Lakeland passed away Tuesday, September 17, 2024 at Lakeland Hospice House. She was born October 21, 1936 in Owenton, Kentucky to the late Floyd and Mary Furnish. Shirley and her husband were joint owners of Dairy Queen in Lake Wales for 50 years. She was a member of First Baptist Church of Lake Wales and Golfview Baptist Church. Shirley had a love for music. She played both the piano and organ for many churches, funeral homes, and weddings. Shirley also played for the Lake Wales Little Theatre and accompanied students. She enjoyed cooking and loved her family dearly. Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, Floyd and Mary Furnish; and brothers, Olan Furnish and...

Edward Lee Bailey, age 77, of Lake Wales, Florida, passed away Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, at AdventHealth Hospital in Haines City, FL, after a year-long battle with renal cancer. He was known to family and friends by his nickname "Eddie." Born on Dec. 22, 1946, in Indianapolis, IN, Eddie was the firstborn of Curtis Leroy and Margaret Bailey, who predeceased him. He is survived by his wife Leona M. (Shipp) Bailey. Also surviving are his younger sisters Mary Bailey, Odessa, FL; and Vickie Price, San Diego, CA; and five nephews and one niece. Also surviving are a stepdaughter Melissa (Michael) Pike, and three step-granddaughters: Lauren (Evan) Diemer, Autumn Pike, and Cassandra Pike all of...

Clement Buckley Newbold III, age 54, of Clermont, Florida passed away suddenly on Monday, September 2, 2024. He was fondly called by his nickname "Clem" by his family and friends. He passed while cycling which was one of his lifelong passions. Of particular note, he and his father rode their bicycles across the continental United States from Oregon to Virginia consisting of a duration of 33 days. Inspired by that expedition, Clem was training for another expedition-The Tour Divide- which is a 2,745 mile north to south route beginning in Banff, Alberta Canada and concluding in Antelope Wells, New Mexico. This love of the sport was first ignited by his father, as a cyclist himself which led to...

Norma E. Putnam, 91 Norma E. Putnam of Lake Wales, Florida passed away Saturday, July 27, 2024 at her residence. She was born October 17, 1932 in Wilson, New York to the late Leroy and Muriel Smith; she moved to Lake Wales from New York in the mid 80's. Norma was a dental hygienist and homemaker. She often wore fake noses and glasses to make people laugh and would joke with everyone. She was entertaining and loved to make people laugh and put them at ease. Norma was preceded in death by her husband, Milton Putnam. She is survived by her sons, Bruce Putnam of Lake Wales, Florida and Tom Putnam (Donna) of Kennedy, New York; brother, Melvin Smith of Penfield, New York; four grandchildren; and...

Don D. Ary of Nalcrest, Florida passed away Sunday, July 21, 2024 at his residence. He was born July 14, 1954 in Evansville, Indiana to the late Jay and Evelyn Ary; he moved to Nalcrest from Indiana nine years ago. Don retired as a letter carrier from the United States Postal Service after 35 years of service. He then worked as an armed guard for Brinks following in his father's footstep, who worked at Brinks then the Post Office. Don was an avid big game hunter who loved boating and fishing. He coached little league Football and started the Tri-State Football League. Don loved sports, especially Nascar, the Saint Louis Cardinals, Tampa Bay Rays, and all football. He was a supporter of U of...

William Christopher "Chris" Kneer of Lake Wales, Florida passed away Friday, June 21, 2024 at his residence. He was born October 3, 1960 in Evansville, Indiana to Charles and Rosemary Kneer; he moved to Lake Wales from Indiana in May of 2014. Chris was a hardworking and dedicated Senior Service Representative for Lincare. He was a member of Impact Church of Lake Wales and loved music and muscle cars. Chris' greatest passion was his family and being a Pop Pop to his grandchildren. Chris was selfless and would do anything to help others. His legacy will live on through his family and those he touched with kindness. Chris is survived by his wife of 41 years, Pamela Gayle Kneer; daughters,...

Douglas Edward Victor of Winter Haven and Punta Gorda passed away Thursday, February 15, 2024 at his brother-in-law's home in Winter Haven. He was born April 8, 1955 in Utica, New York. Doug grew up in Punta Gorda and was a long-time resident of the area. He was the retired Vice President for Sun Trust Bank in Punta Gorda. Doug was active in Trinity Baptist Church in Punta Gorda where he was treasurer for many years. He was a boat enthusiast. Doug was preceded in death by his mother, Margaret (Maggs) Victor. He is survived by his wife of 37 years, Joan Victor; father, Ed Victor of Murphy, North Carolina; and sister, Diane Rowan of Marble, North Carolina. The family will receive friends from...

John "Jack" Cretella of Nalcrest passed away Saturday, October 21, 2023 at Winter Haven Life Care. He was born June 5, 1939 in New Haven, Connecticut to the late Joseph and Henrietta Cretella; he moved to Nalcrest from Connecticut 21 years ago. Jack was a letter carrier for the United States Postal Service and a veteran of the United States Army. He was a member of Holy Spirit Catholic Church. He loved red roses and would always give them to his wife. Jack was preceded in death by his first wife, Phyllis. He is survived by his wife of 13 years, Janet Cretella; daughter, Dawn Mulligan and husband Brian of Cheshire, Connecticut; son, John Cretella and wife Ariana of Branford, Connecticut;...

Francis Neal Settle of Fort Meade passed away peacefully Thursday, September 14, 2023 at home. He was born May 19, 1942 in Barren County, Kentucky to the late Huebert and Arlene Settle. In 1969 Francis moved from Kentucky to Boynton Beach, Florida and has been a resident of Polk County for the last five years. He served with the United States Air Force from 1962 until 1965 during the Vietnam era. Francis was an aviation mechanic and was the mechanic on a plane that broke a test plane speed record. He was active in the Fly Wheelers Club, Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, and enjoyed the Sun-N-Fun Event. Francis is survived by his sons, Robert Settle and wife Heather of Fort Meade, and Leslie Settle and...

Donald Victor Angle, 86, of Lake Wales, Florida, passed away at the Somers Hospice House in Sebring, Friday, June 16th. Born April 22, 1937 in Logansport, IN to the late Melvin V. Angle, and Edith L. Bowyer, he was raised by his mother and stepfather Charles J. Kasch. He moved to Lake Wales in 2007 from Carmel, IN. He served our country in the US Marine Corp. and was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He worked for Moore Business Forms as a service Technician. He is preceded in death by his brother, Bob Kasch and a sister Bonita Ramsey. Survivors include his wife of 62 years, Bette Corcoran Angle of Lake Wales; children, Pheriba Jayne Giron of Logansport, IN and...

William "Bill" Croman of Lake Wales, Florida passed away Wednesday, June 7, 2023 at Lakeland Regional Medical Center. He was born May 29, 1938 in Berwick, Pennsylvania to the late Albert and Gladys Croman; he moved to Lake Wales, Florida from Drums, Pennsylvania in 1971. Bill was a supervisor for GTE from 1971 until 1993 and was a veteran of the United States Army. He was a fan of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Florida Gators and enjoyed square dancing and stain glass crafting. Bill especially loved having corn roasts and get togethers with his friends and family. Bill is preceded in death by his wife, Mildred "Millie" Croman; and brother, Albert "Jay" Croman. He is survived by his...

John "Randy" Bryan, Jr. of Orlando and Haines City went home to be with his Savior on Tues, April 11th surrounded by his family. He was born Mar. 28, 1939 in Tallahassee. Randy graduated from Edgewater High School in 1957. He met his wife, Karen during his 50 years of employment at Hammond Electronic Company, who he later married on July 26, 1969. Randy was a veteran of the United States Army. He was an active member of Azalea Park Methodist Church in Orlando for over 45 years until he moved to Haines City in 2019, where he then attended NorthRidge Church. He was a follower of Christ showing His love to others. He will be missed by all who knew him. Randy was preceded in death by his wife of...

Reginia Gail Lamb White, 58, of Lake Wales, Florida died March 27, 2023. Services by Marion Nelson Funeral Home, Lake Wales, Florida.

Lois Anne Chase of Lake Wales passed away Thursday, March 23, 2023 at Good Shepherd Hospice in Auburndale. She was born September 8, 1935 in Ossining, NY to the late Fred and Grace Houghtaling; and graduated from Auburn Central High School. She was a retired manager at Key Bank in Syracuse, NY and later worked as a substitute teacher's aide in Jamesville-DeWitt Central School District. She came to the area from Fayetteville, NY seven years ago and was a member of the Hope Presbyterian Church in Winter Haven. She loved playing cards, reading, traveling, exercising, baking cookies and spending time with children and grandchildren. Lois was preceded in death by her husband, Donald K. Chase; a...

Eugene "Gene" Bordeaux of Frostproof, FL passed away Friday, February 17, 2023 at the Winter Haven Hospital. He was born July 18, 1936 in Montague, Massachusetts to the late Leo and Jeannette Petrin Bordeaux. Upon graduating he served with the United States Navy from 1955 until 1959. Gene began his career with Berkshire Gas Company in 1965 as Residential Sales Representative with the Greenfield, Massachusetts division moving up to Marketing Supervisor in 1979 which was based on the reorganization of the company's marketing department. He held a variety of positions during his years with the Berkshire Gas Company. During 1987 Gene was promoted to General Manager of the Berk-Gas Propane...

Ann E. Gordon of Lake Wales passed away Sunday, February 12, 2023 at Astoria Senior Living in Winter Haven. She was born September 12, 1925 in Scott County, Kentucky to the late George and Pearl Ellis; she moved to Lake Wales from Florence, Kentucky in 1976. Ann was a book binder for Macke Bookbinders and was a member of Church on the Hill in Dundee. She was previously active in the Senior Circle at Lake Wales Hospital and the Women's Mission Unit with her church. She was an avid Tampa Bay Rays fan and enjoyed watching Days of Our Lives on the tv and reading her newspaper. Ann was proceeded in death by her husband, Leon Gordon in 2000; one brother; and one sister. She is survived by several...

Caprice Durham Oliver of Lake Wales, Florida, passed away on February 4th, 2023, at HCA Florida Highlands Hospital while surrounded by loved ones. Caprice was born July 16th, 1962, in Minneapolis, MN. She moved to Lake Wales from her hometown two years ago. She was a Registered Nurse at Minneapolis Children's Hospital in the Pediatric ICU department. She received her Master's from Bethel, and was trained as a Nurse Anesthetist. She was a stamping enthusiast and card maker who made beautiful cards and took great joy in sharing her hobby. Caprice loved card games and spending time with the family?especially her grandsons. Caprice is survived by her husband of 42 years, Donald M. Oliver,...

William H. "Bill" Meyers of Lake Wales passed away Thursday, February 2, 2023 at Forsythe Hospice House in Auburndale. He was born February 5, 1939 in Portsmouth, Ohio to the late Glen and Sylvia Meyers; he moved to Lake Wales from Ohio in 2002. Bill was a retired welder for the Department of Defense and Tropicana. He was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and of the Baptist faith. Bill was a member of the Masonic Lodge, Elks Lodge, and American Legion in Portsmouth, Ohio. He was an avid golfer and fisherman. Bill was a past referee for high school football and basketball and college basketball. He enjoyed traveling and dancing, especially the jitterbug. Bill was proceeded in death...

Francis Anthony "Frank" Pelczynski of Frostproof, Florida and Buffalo, New York passed away Monday, January 16, 2023 in Lake Wales, Florida. He was born December 16, 1941 in Buffalo, New York to the late Alfred and Emily Pelczynski. Frank was a retired steelworker for Bethlehem Steel Mill and was an avid sports fan. Frank was preceded in death by his wife, Mariann Pelczynski. He is survived by his daughter, Lisa (Rosanne) Marek of Buffalo, New York; son, David Pelczynski of Williamsville, New York; and sisters, Kathleen Aquino of Albion, New York and Pamela Matarrese of Niagara Falls, New York. No services are scheduled at this time.

Sir Richard V. Giordano KBE, an iconic American business leader who led a transformation of British corporate culture, creator of the BOC Challenge sailing race and Knight Commander of the British Empire for his contributions to British industry, died on December 27, 2022 at 88 years of age in Florida, surrounded by his family. Born on March 24, 1934, in the Bronx, New York, Giordano was the youngest son of Italian immigrants. A proud product of New York City public schools, he graduated from Stuyvesant High School followed by Harvard College in 1956 and Columbia Law School in 1959. Despite having rheumatic fever as a child, Giordano developed into a tall and athletic young man, discovering...