Rosalia R Oropeza
Jan 20, 2026
Rosalia R. Oropeza, 64, of Bartow, Florida, passed away on January 20, 2026. She was born November 11, 1961, in Tulcingo, Mexico, to Miguel G. Oropeza and Rosalia Rosales Oropeza. A retail cashier by trade, Rosalia spent the last 18 years in Bartow, Florida. She was a member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church and was a devoted lover...
Melvin Fairfield Jr.
Jan 18, 2026
Melvin Fairfield Jr., born January 15, 1957, passed away January 18, 2026, in Highlands County, Florida. A longtime resident of Hardee County since 1982 after moving from Lebanon, Indiana, Melvin worked as a truck driver for 30 years. He was a faithful listener to the radio sermons of Faith Temple Church and took great pride in his large, loving family....
John Harold Schaecher
Jan 18, 2026
John Harold Schaecher passed away on January 18, 2026. John was born in San Francisco, California on December 12, 1940. Although he had lived most of his life in California, he had been a resident of Wauchula, Florida since 2017. He and his wife of 54 years had spent the previous 18 years traveling in their motorhome to every state...
Betty Lou Rodriguez
Jan 14, 2026
Betty Lou Rodriguez, 82, of Wauchula, Florida, passed away on January 14, 2026, in Sebring, Florida. She was born March 12, 1943, in Miami, Florida, to Robert L. Young and Irene Young. A devoted homemaker, Betty spent most of her life in Hardee and was an active member of Riverview Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her parents,...
Ruth Cynthia Ree Walker Williams
Jan 12, 2026
Ruth Cynthia Ree Walker Williams, 88, affectionately known in Hardee County as "Miss Cindy", joined Heaven's family at the Tidewell Arcadia Hospice House on January 12, 2026, surrounded by her loving family and wonderful care team. Born December 14, 1937, in Blue Springs, Alabama, most of her life was dedicated to the support and encouragement of her beloved husband in...
Sharon Kay Lynn
Jan 10, 2026
Sharon Kay Lynn was born in Pompano Beach on October 31, 1946, and passed away on January 10, 2026. She was preceded in death by her mother Alta Jenkins, her husband Thomas Lynn, her brother William Terry Jenkins, her sons William "Billy" Porter and Thomas Lynn Jr, and her granddaughter, Amanda Platt. She leaves behind her sons Dale E (Donna)...
Scott Frederick Tharp
Jan 5, 2026
It is with deep sorrow that we say goodbye to a devoted husband, loving father, faithful pastor, and cherished friend. Scott Frederick Tharp entered the presence of the Lord on January 5, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of faith, love, and leadership that will endure for generations. Born on September 20, 1972, in Westerville, Ohio, Scott lived a life marked...
Jerrial "Jerry" Ralph Morris
Jan 3, 2026
Jerrial (Jerry) Ralph Morris, age 85, of Zolfo Springs, passed away on January 3rd, 2026 at home following a brief illness. He was born on May 7th, 1940, in Toombs County, Georgia. Jerry lived in Georgia before moving to Hardee County in 1960. He was a farmer, carpenter, and former business owner of restaurants, video stores, and a jewelry store....
Gerald "Jerry" Stanley Kapusta
Jan 1, 2026
Gerald "Jerry" Kapusta, 82, of Wauchula, Florida, passed away on January 1, 2026. Jerry was born on March 5, 1943, in Ravenna, Ohio, to Stanley and Florence Kapusta. He was an educator in the public school system and a devoted sports coach. A longtime resident of Hardee County since 1973, he had come to the area from Melbourne, Florida. He...
Mary Jo Ann Goad
Dec 31, 2025
Mary Jo Ann Goad, age 84, of Wauchula, Florida, passed away on December 31, 2025. Mary Jo was born April 26, 1941, in Manila, Arkansas, to Earl and Margaret (Moore) Goad. A seamstress by trade, she had been a resident of Hardee County for the past five years after relocating from Tampa, Florida. She was of the Protestant faith. She...
Johnny Love Parker
Dec 25, 2025
Celebrating the Life of Johnny Love Parker February 20, 1943 — December 25, 2025 Johnny Love Parker entered this world on February 20, 1943, born at home in Bowling Green to Doyle and Helen "Sweet Pea" Parker. As a sixth-generation Floridian, the land and the cattle were in his blood. He grew up attending Bowling Green Elementary and Ft. Meade...
Curtis Allan Elbertson
Dec 9, 2025
Curtis Allan Elbertson, 45, of Hardee County, passed away on December 9, 2025, in Fort Pierce, Florida. Curtis was born on March 3, 1980, in Lakeland, Florida, to Jasper Elbertson Jr. and the late Jeanne Wetherington. A lifelong resident of Hardee County and Baptist by faith, Curtis served his community for many years as a member of the county road...
Paul Ray Keel
Dec 4, 2025
Paul Ray Keel 77, of Wauchula, FL. went to join the Lord on December 4, 2025, at Good Shepherd Hospice House, surrounded by the love of his family. Born to Thurman and Pauline, Paul grew into a man of deep faith, dedication, and service—values that shaped every chapter of his life. Paul proudly served his country in the US Army...
Ervin "Gene" Eugene Johnson
Dec 2, 2025
Ervin Eugene Johnson "Gene", 79, of Wauchula, Florida, passed away on December 2, 2025, surrounded by his family. Gene was born March 26, 1946, in Pahokee, Florida, to Russell and Inez (Bowers) Johnson. A longtime resident of Hardee County, he served the community for many years as the electrician supervisor for the Hardee County School System. He was a member...
Marcia Jean Burton
Nov 14, 2025
Marcia Jean Bostick Burton died on November 14, 2025, in Avon Park, Florida. Born September 13, 1928, to Ceylon Robert and Katherine Hayden Bostick, she was a fifth-generation Floridian and a fourth-generation Hardee Countian. She attended schools in Hardee County and Florida State University before graduating from the University of Florida in 1951. While there she was a member of...
Sharon Ann Morris
Nov 2, 2025
Sharon Ann Morris, 65, passed away at home surrounded by her family. She was born on August 12, 1960 in Honolulu, Hawaii to Richard and Lillian (Bradley)King. Sharon came to Hardee County in 2004 from Delaware, was a homemaker, and spent her time caring for her family and home. She is preceded in death by her mother. Sharon is survived...
Linda Fay Yeomans
Oct 30, 2025
It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of Linda Fay Yeomans (Albritton), 82, of Avon Park, FL. Linda passed away peacefully surrounded by her loved ones on Thursday evening, October 30 th . She was born on June 8, 1943 in Bowling Green FL; the daughter of Lexton 'Shorty' Albritton and Minnie 'Munk' Albritton. She settled in Zolfo...
Jeffrey William Hartley
Oct 23, 2025
Jeffrey William Hartley, 61, passed away October 23, 2025, in Wauchula, Florida. He was born November 15, 1963, in Yakima, Washington, to Lawrence W. Hartley and Aubory Grimsely. A construction laborer by trade, Jeff lived most of his life in Hardee County. He was preceded in death by his parents, Lawrence and Aubrey Hartley, and by his brother Monty Nelson...
Amy Leigh Thomas
Oct 22, 2025
Amy Leigh Thomas, 52, of Hardee County, Florida, passed away October 22, 2025. She was born October 20, 1973, in Wauchula, Florida to Joseph and Iva Martin. Amy was a devoted homemaker who spent her life caring for her family and home. A lifelong resident of Hardee County, she was Pentecostal by faith. She was preceded in death by her...
Linda Velez Arredondo
Oct 22, 2025
Linda Velez Arredondo, 65, of Wauchula, Florida, passed away on October 22, 2025, in Wauchula, Fl., She was born on May 15, 1960, in San Antonio, Texas, to Frank J. Velez Sr. and Alicia S. Sanchez. A longtime member of St. Michael's Catholic Church, Linda moved to Hardee County in 1999 and served the community as a secretary of the...
