Patricia Ann Best
March 13, 2026
The family of Patricia Ann Best is saddened to announce her death on March 13, 2026, in Sebring, Florida. Patricia was born to Frank and Vivian Hammond on November 24, 1936, in Kearny, New Jersey.
Patricia was survived by her sons; Charles (wife Donna) Best and David (wife Trish) Best, daughter; Teddi (husband Kent) Keefer, grandmother to Kim Best Zahller, Julie...
Justin Neal Avirett
March 10, 2026
Justin Neal Avirett, age 42, of Sebring, Florida, passed away Tuesday, March 10, 2026 in Stony Creek, Virginia. He was born December 19, 1983, in Winter Haven, Florida to Robert Hullen Avirett and Mary Elizabeth (Hadden) Avirett. Justin worked as a framing carpenter, butcher & cook, attended Grace Bible Church, and has been a resident of Sebring, Florida since 1987....
Alex Joseph Sabo II
March 9, 2026
Alex Joseph Sabo II, age 73, passed away on Monday, March 9, 2026, in Sebring, Florida. He was born on February 5, 1953, in Dayton, Ohio, the son of Alex and Julia Sabo.
Alex graduated from Sebring High School in 1971, earned his BA from the University of South Florida in 1975, and Juris Doctor, cum laude, from the University of...
Gary Arthur Plants
March 8, 2026
Gary Arthur Plants, born January 21, 1944, passed away on March 6, 2026. Originally from West Virginia, Gary later lived in Michigan before eventually settling in Sebring, Florida, where he met and married the love of his life, Grace Plants. The two shared 20 wonderful years of marriage before Grace’s passing in October 2024.
Gary proudly served his country in the...
Glen Allen Kegler
March 6, 2026
Glen Allen Kegler, age 86 passed peacefully in his home on Friday, March 6 surrounded by family members Kathy, Glen, Joe and Ron after a brave, brief battle with pancreatic cancer. Glen the eldest of six siblings proudly served his country in the United States Navy for four years before beginning a long career with the Erie County Buildings and...
Julian Crawford Kendrick
March 6, 2026
Julian Crawford Kendrick, age 72, of Avon Park, Florida, passed away Friday, March 6, 2026. He was born September 29, 1953 in Opp, Alabama to Obie O. and Lillian M. (Waldrop) Kendrick. Julian worked as a Probation Officer, is of Baptist Faith, and has been a lifelong resident of Avon Park, Florida. He is survived by his Nieces – Catherine...
Eva Mae Flores
March 4, 2026
Eva Mae Flores, age 61, of Avon Park, Florida, passed away Wednesday, March 4, 2026. She was born April 28, 1964 in Sebring, Florida to Billy W. Light and Mildred Tucker. Eva was a Dairy Farmer and lifelong resident of Highlands County. She is survived by her Children – Jessica D. Light (Anita) of Gila Bend, AZ; Houston Hall of...
Ricky G. Helms
March 1, 2026
Ricky Helms, age 71, of Avon Park, FL passed away peacefully in his sleep and surrounded by family on Sunday, March 1, 2026. Ricky was born on May 4, 1954 in Avon Park to Talmadge P. and Lillie (Barefield) Helms. While in high school, he met the love of his life Beth Ferguson. Beth recalls that she was drawn to...
Loca Ann Spears
March 1, 2026
Loca Lanier-Spears was born September 2, 1932 to Arch and Eula Lanier of Wauchula. Loca was one of 6 children in the family. Their family were active members of New Hope Baptist Church for many years.
Loca was married to the love of her life Ray Spears in 1953. Loca and Ray had 2 children: the late Michael Ray Spears of...
Russell Lowell Lehman
February 26, 2026
Russell Lowell Lehman passed away February 26th, 2026, at the age of 87. He was born in Richmond, Indiana to Ralph and Bertha Lehman. Russ declined an athletic scholarship to Ball State University to serve in the U.S. Air Force after high school graduation.
After his service, he worked at CIT Insurance, owned a Shell service station with his cousin, Claude Soper,...
Betty Evelyn Throop Smith
February 26, 2026
Betty Evelyn Throop Smith, of West Palm Beach, formerly of Sebring, Florida, passed away peacefully on February 26, 2026.
Betty was born in Hamburg, NJ. She was the daughter of Clara and William Tidaback. She married Herbert Throop and eventually moved to Middletown, NY where she was a professional photographer until she retired in 1972. She retired to Sebring in 1992...
Margaret Dietz Whitehead
February 25, 2026
Margaret “Peg” Whitehead, age 92, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 25, 2026,in Sebring, Florida. Born on September 23, 1933, in Cleveland, Ohio, Peg was the daughter of Lester and Mary (Kessler) Dietz. She and her husband, Frank, and five children moved to Sebring in 1963. They welcomed a sixth child in 1967. Peg dedicated 30+ years to education, first...
Gary Eugene Clark
February 24, 2026
Gary E. Clark 84 of Sebring, FL died February 24, 2026. He was born October 19, 1941 to Wilbur Eugene (Gene) and Frances M (Ford) Clark in Hardin County, OH, who preceded him in death. As a young man, Gary worked at Cole Motors alongside his father. He attended Ohio Northern University in Ada, OH, receiving a degree in Accounting....
Michael James Rand, Sr.
February 23, 2026
Michael James Rand, Sr., age 82, of Avon Park, Florida, passed away Monday, February 23, 2026. He was born February 19, 1944, in Jackson, Michigan to Paul G. Rand, Jr. and Marcella A. (Berry) Rand. Mike retired as a Sergeant from the Jackson Police Department, was a member of Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church and has been a Florida...
Thomas F. Walsh, Jr.
February 23, 2026
Thomas F. Walsh, 87, of Sebring, FL moved on from his earthly life on Monday, February 23, 2026. He was born in West Orange, NJ on January 27, 1939 to Thomas F. Walsh, Sr. and Cecile Gilhooly Walsh. Tom lived in New Jersey most of his life and relocated to Florida in 1993. He worked in consumer lending and collections...
John Paul Meeks, Jr.
February 22, 2026
John Paul Meeks Jr, age 79, of Avon Park, Florida, passed away on February 22, 2026. He was born on February 11, 1947, in Jacksonville, Florida to his loving parents Myrtice and John Paul Meeks, Sr.
John was a proud veteran, fearlessly and faithfully serving his country in the United States Army. While serving in the Vietnam War he was wounded....
Ashlynn Lucille Rhodes
February 21, 2026
Ashlynn Lucille Rhodes passed away Saturday, February 21, 2026 in Avon Park, Florida. She was born September 25, 2025 in Sebring, Florida to Lane Rhodes and Dakota Pearson. She is survived by her Parents – Lane and Dakota; Brother – Lane Michael James; Sisters – Athena Reign; A’Rhea Amor; Maternal Grandparents – Eddie and Silveria Pearson; Paternal Grandparents – Kyle...