All Obituaries

Russell Gorniak79, formally of North East, PA passed away on July 8, 2021 in Avon Park, FL, where he has resided for the last 5 1/2 years. He was born October 17, 1941 tot he late Leo and Pearl (Yost) Gorniak. He graduated from Wattsburg Area High School and enlisted in the US Navy serving from 1959 - 1961. He enjoyed playing & coaching girls softbal, camping and golfing with his good frineds and his dogs Tre & Dudley. He will be fondly remembered as the Christmas Tree Man. He is...

Mr. Eric L. Soto, 48, of Bowling Green passed away on June 16, 2021 at AdventHealth Sebring.  Eric was born February 10, 1973 in Jersey City, New Jersey to Mariano L. Soto and Iris M. Cortes.  He was a well known DJ in this area as DJ Casper.  He loved to entertain through his music.  He is survived by his parents, Mariano and Iris; children, Eric and Erica Soto and many  family members and friends.  Visitation will be held on Thursday evening, 7-9 pm at...

Michael Planeta, 58 of Avon Park, Florida passed away on May, 28 2021. Michael was predeceased by his sister, Janice McCullough and brother Robert Cannon. He is survived by numerous nieces and nephews. He will be forever loved and forever remembered. Services will be held on June 7, 2021 at 10 am. A graveside service will be held at the Bougainvillea Cemetery in Avon Park, Fl.   

Dolores, 83 was carried to Heaven peacefully in her sleep Monday, May 24th, 2021. Hailing from Miami, to Deland, and then with her daughter’s family to Sebring then Lake Wales, people would say Dolores was unlike anyone else you would ever meet. A beautician by trade, Dolores enjoyed fashion and beauty, and was very involved in beauty pageantry during her time in Miami. In her later years, she found joy in painting and crafting, often giving her creations to her family members,...

Annette Stewart, 81, of Avon Park, died Wednesday morning, March 24, 2021 at her home.  A native of Bonifay, FL she had lived in this area since 1960 moving from Senoma, CA.  She was a seamstress and the owner of Annette's Stitch n Stuff, a member of Sebring Business Association and Moose Club # 2974.  She attend Crossroad Community Church.  She is survived by her children, Michael (Robin) Stewart and Renee' (Doug) Bennett; brother, Jerry B. (Sheena) Curry; 5...

John Sherman Mayo, Jr., 90, of Sebring, died at his home Sunday morning, May 9, 2021.  He was born in Pontiac, MI to John and Eva (Zahn) Mayo on March 30, 1931.  He was a veteran of the Korean War serving in the US Navy.  John retired as a tool and die maker in 1986 from General Motors.  He lived seasonally in Sebring for 15 years splitting his time in Lincoln, MI.  He was a member of the Moose Lodge 571 and Eagles Aerie 3762.  John is survived by his wife...

Frank Allen Cunningham, 80, of Frostproof died Thursday morning on April 29 at home home surrounded by his family. He was born on October 2, 1940, to Floyd Samuel and Alliene Roxy Cunningham of Corydon, Indiana. He was a 1958 graduate of Corydon central High School. Also, that same year, he gained his horology license from Cunningham's Horology School, which was owned by his father. Being the youngest in the state of Indiana to achieve his watchmaker license, he then went on to run...

On April 17, 2021, Helen Alice Downs Bouchard, of Wauchula, FL died suddenly.  She had just turned 70 on April 10. Helen is survived by her beloved husband Norman. Helen and Norman were married over 51 years.  Helen is also survived by her children Helena (Seth) Case, East Canaan, CT and Christian (Faye) Bouchard, Kent, CT.  She leaves behind her grandchildren Patrick, Richard, Ashley, Samuel, Abigail and Christian.  She also leaves behind four great grandchildren Devin,...

John J. Messina, 80, passed away on March 13, 2021 at AdventHealth Sebring.  He was born July 12, 1940 in Hartford, CT to the late Joseph and Josephine Messina.  He was the youngest of the five children who have passed before him.  John had been a resident of Avon Park for 39 years and a member of Avon Park Church of Nazarene.  He is survived by his loving wife, Amy; five nieces, Debbie, Kitty, Aileen, Maureen and Becky; two nephews, David and Stephen.  Celebration...

Ruth Elaine Hoover, 86 passed away Thursday afternoon March 11, 2021 at her Avon Park Florida home.  A native of Niagara County NY, she moved to FL in 1977 living in Palm Beach County then half backed to Tenn. before moving back to Highlands County 4 years ago. Ruth enjoyed home crafting from crochet to stainless window making. She loved singing with Sweet Adalines Heart of Highlands show chorus. Active in sports from bicycle riding to archery competition up to state level. ...