Ernest Reed, 71, of Wauchula, passed away on April 23, 2012 at Florida Hospital in Sebring. Mr. Reed was born in Harlan, Kentucky on March 19, 1941 and had been a resident of Wauchula for most of his life. He had been employed by the Hardee County School Board as a mechanic in the bus garage. He was a member of the Moose Lodge and enjoyed fishing and watching sports, Nascar, and football.
He was preceded in death by his father, Gordon Reed, and sister, Patty Reed. Survivors include his mother, Shirley Stamey of Wauchula; one son, Keith Reed and wife Maryann of Zolfo Springs; four daughters, Jania New and husband Darrell of Kentucky, Tina Miller and husband Jeff of Panama City, Florida, Janet Collett of Kentucky and Amy Waters of Wauchula; 15 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.