Mar 21, 2026

John Edgar Christ age 89, passed away March 21, 2026, peacefully with his family at his bedside. He was born on September 9, 1936, to Edgar N. Christ and Iva Mae Hightower. He was born in Arcadia and was a lifelong resident.  He was a carpenter, realtor, member of the Rotary Club and Moose Lodge. John proudly served in...

Mar 17, 2026

It is with great sadness in our hearts to announce the passing of Rolando Ibarra Alcala, at age 41 on March 17, 2026, in Okeechobee, Florida. Rolando was born in Pinal De Amoles in Queretarro on October 14, 1984. Rolando lived in Arcadia for 16 years; he was a carpenter, supervisor, and worked all trades that were given to...

Mar 13, 2026

Albert "Ruhl" Miller

December 5, 1941 – March 13, 2026

Albert "Ruhl" Miller, a lifelong resident of Wauchula and a man of steady faith and cowboy spirit, passed away peacefully on March 13, 2026. Born in Wauchula on December 5, 1941, Ruhl lived a life defined by hard work, service, and a deep love for...

Mar 10, 2026

Johnny Edward Herren, age 75, of Arcadia, FL passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family.  He was born to Oscar and Betty Herren on February 16, 1951.

He is survived by his wife of 29 years, Connie. He is also survived by his two granddaughters, Piper and Carter in Ft. Myers, FL, sister Becky in...

Mar 10, 2026

Irene (Warren) Meehan, age 62, of Arcadia, FL, passed away Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at Tidewell Hospice House, Arcadia. She was born on December 13, 1963, in Brooklyn, NY, and was the daughter of the late Theodore J. Warren and the late Marie (Meade) Warren. Irene had been living in Arcadia for the past 18 months. She had previously...

Mar 9, 2026

Ernest Jackson "EJ" Sheppard, 46, of Arcadia, Florida, passed away peacefully on March 9, 2026. Born on May 27, 1979, to Edward Wayne and Shron Bracknell Sheppard in Opelika, Alabama.

EJ was the best husband, pepal, brother, uncle, son, dad, and a friend to all. EJ was someone who didn't care what the situation was he was...

Mar 9, 2026

Deborah Jane Barker, age 72, passed away on Monday, March 9, 2026, in Zolfo Springs, Florida. She was born in Mount Pleasant, Tennessee on January 16, 1954, to John Thomas Dickey and Alma Lemay. She had lived in Hardee County for 62 years where she worked at FINR in Wauchula, Florida. She attended First Christian Church of Wauchula, Florida....

Mar 7, 2026

Symantha Diane Murphy, 60, of Plant City, Florida passed away peacefully on March 7, 2026. Born in Fort Walton, Florida on December 21, 1965 to Alex Wayne and Clara Jo Mansfield Swails. She loved cooking and baking, often finding joy in preparing meals and sweet treats for those around her. The kitchen was a place where she expressed her...

Mar 7, 2026

Donald LeMoyne Rife, Sr, born to Charles 'Chuck' Rife Sr and Maysel Deffendol Rife on October 25, 1945,10/25/1945 left this Earth on March 7, 2026 in Arcadia, Florida. Rife was preceded in death by his beloved "Rib," Florence Maddy Rife; his wife of 55 years. Together, they had three children, Donald L Rife, Jr., Angela Rife Ehling (Jerrod Sr.),...

Mar 5, 2026

Luca Attilio "Art" Fusco immigrated to the United States from Palermo, Sicily, at the age of four. He was born on March 2, 1931, to Eduardo and Edvige Fusco. After the death of his father, Art, along with his mother and sister, Angela Gioconda, moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where the family began rebuilding their lives.

The early...

Mar 4, 2026

Diane Margaret Crevier passed away on March 4, 2026.  She was born on July 28, 1938, in Wayne County, Michigan to Raymond Radzwion and Lillian St. Charles Radzwion.

She had been a long-time dual resident of Florida and Michigan. She had worked many years as a Department Manager at General Dynamics in Sterling Heights, Michigan.

...

Mar 4, 2026

Jose Lara, age 73, passed away on March 4, 2026, in Port Charlotte, Florida. He was born on July 9, 1952, in El Refugio, San Luis Potosí, Mexico, to Micaela Gonzalez and Felix Lara. Jose worked in landscaping for many years and was known for his dedication and strong work ethic. Outside of work, he enjoyed playing billiards and...

Mar 3, 2026

Jimmy Earl Dickens, passed away on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 in Sebring, Florida. He was born on March 18, 1942, in Lebanon, Tennessee to Joseph Earl Dickens and Minnie Pearl Faye Andrews.

He lived in Wauchula, Florida for 65 years. After high school he served in the United States Navy. After returning to Hardee County, he worked...

Feb 25, 2026

Terry (Corkey) Lavonne Pelham, age 69, passed away at home with family on Wednesday, February 25, 2026 in Fort Meade, Florida. He was born September 9, 1956, to Juanita Pelham.

He lived in Wauchula until he moved to Fort Meade. Corkey worked for Mier Trucking. Corkey enjoyed his kids and grandchildren; they were his greatest accomplishments. He...

Feb 25, 2026

Tomas Maya Galvan, age 65, passed away on Thursday February 25, 2026 in Fort Meade, Florida. He was born in San Luis Potosi, Mexico on December 31, 1959 to Narciso Maya and Brigida Galvin De Maya.

Online condolences can be made at www.pongerkaysgrady.com

Ponger-Kays-Grady Funeral Homes & Cremation Services have been entrusted with the arrangements....

Feb 24, 2026

Patsy Wallace Coker, 81, of Arcadia, Florida, passed away peacefully on February 24, 2026. Born in Leesburg, Florida, on June 6, 1944, to the late Owen and Viola Mae Moody Wallace. Ms. Patsy moved to Groveland, Florida in 1957 before coming to Arcadia. She was a homemaker and loved to read, watch television, but most of all loved taking...

Feb 23, 2026

Edward (Eddie) Lee Davis, 68, of Arcadia, Florida passed away in his home in the early morning hours of February 23rd, 2026, in Arcadia, Florida, next to his loving wife. He was born on October 6, 1957.

Eddie graduated from DeSoto County High School in 1975, shortly after graduating he began his long-term career in construction. He...

Feb 21, 2026

Eleanor S. Bates departed this world on February 21, 2026, at Tidewell Hospice in Arcadia, Florida.

Eleanor was born in New York City, NY on September 29, 1943, to Harold and Elizabeth (Barrett) Spence. She married George L. Bates in February of 1966. They raised 2 sons, Harold and Scott Bates.

Eleanor is survived by...

Feb 16, 2026

George Walter Reese III, age 88, passed away peacefully on February 16, 2026. He was born on July 22, 1937, in Bartow, Florida, and spent much of his youth in Key West, Florida, where he graduated from high school in 1955.

Following graduation, George answered the call to serve his country by enlisting in the United States...

Feb 14, 2026

Aurora Cano Guerrero age 87 passed away on February 14, 2026. She was born on August 20, 1938 in Tulsa, Texas to Matilde Cano and Victoria Jaramillo. She had lived in the community for 55 years.

She helped her husband with Harvesting and later became a full time stay at home mother. Her greatest accomplishment was in...