All Obituaries

Shirley Ann Mitchell, 81, of Avon Park, died Friday morning at AdventHealth Sebring.  She was a lifelong resident of Highlands County, born to Claude and Nettie (Mitchell) Welch in Sebring.  She enjoyed cooking, crocheting, storytelling and the casino.  She was baptist by faith.  She was preceded in death by her husband of 62 years Edward Mitchell (2020) and son Edward Mitchell, Jr. She is survived by her children, PJ (Joe) Baldridge, Larry (Lucinda) Mitchell and Rhonda...

Debra S. Tillman, 66, of Avon Park, died Wednesday, August 24, 2022 at Tampa General Hospital.  Born in Minnesota to Wayne and Thelma Royce, she grew up in Avon Park, as an adult she lived in Woodruff, South Carolina before moving back to Avon Park 4 years ago.  She was a homemaker who loved her family and enjoyed crocheting and sewing.  She was a Christian woman and was a member of the Church of God, Woodruff, SC.  She was preceded in death by her husband of 49 years,...

Orie Clayton Wenger, 84, of Sebring, Fl. went home to be with the Lord on July 27, 2022. “Clay” was born in Kalona, Iowa on October 23, 1937. Clay, loving husband of Ethel Wenger, passed away after a long battle with Parkinson's Disease. He is survived by his wife Ethel, two brothers Galen and Don Hartzler, and three children Dawn Youmans, Amanda Elder, and Tim Fritz. He is also survived by many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Clay was a parts manager for different car...

Victoriano Claros, 97, of Sebring, passed away on Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at 1:45 am at Advent Health Sebring.  A native of Timaná-Huila, Colombia, he arrived in the United States on July 4th, 1972 at the age of 48. He lived in New Jersey and then only 8 years ago moved to Sebring, FL.  He was always smiling, jovial, warm and fun-loving.  He loved playing parcheesi and dominos and especially loved spending time with all of his family.  Victoriano, an amazing...

Louise L. Green, 91, of Avon Park, died Friday night, July 15, 2022 at her home.  She has lived in Avon Park since 1949 coming from Arcadia, FL.  She was a Title 1 Teacher and active member of Florida Avenue Baptist Church where she taught Sunday School.  Louise enjoyed sewing, ceramics and traveling.  She was preceded in death by her husband of 71 years, William Melvin Green in 2020; her parents, David and Artie (Rigdon) Lock; 3 sisters, Minnie, Hazel and Betty and...

Ralph A. “Hank” Henry, 70, of Avon Park, died Wednesday evening, July 6, 2022 at AdventHealth Sebring.  A native of Jonesboro, AR, he had lived here most of his life.  Hank was a graduate of APHS Class of 1970 and worked as a consultant for state college facilities planning.  He was preceded in death by his father, Royce Henry.  He is survived by his daughters, Karla (Raymond) Respress, III and Katie (Stuart) Mackey; mother, Henrietta Henry; sister, Meroe...

Charles G. Duvall, 82, of Sebring, FL passed away, Thursday evening, June 30, 2022 at AdventHealth Sebring.  A native of Lexington County, South Carolina he had lived in Sebring a year.  Charles was a veteran of the US Navy.  He retired from Delta Airlines.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry Grady and Ruby (Gantt) Duvall, sister, Margarite Berry and 2 brothers, Henry and Walter Duvall. Charles is survived by his wife, Elizabeth (Poole) Duvall; children,...

William Roger Tamm, 80, of Bowling Green, FL passed away on Thursday, May 26, 2022 at AdventHealth Sebring.  He was a born in Ware, Massachusetts on June 7, 1941 to Charles and Rebecca (Buzzell) Tamm.  William was a veteran of the US Navy serving during Vietnam as a missile tech.  William spent his career (1965 - 2002) working in the fiber optics industry having been employed by several companies during that time American Optical Corp, 3M, Lucent and Nuform. He had lived...

Curtis E. Nelson, 78, of Avon Park, died Thursday morning, May 19, 2022 at his home.  Born to Vernice Everett and Luna (Cason) Nelson in Jasper, FL he lived most of his life in Avon Park.  He worked for over 45 years at Big "T" Tire in sales.  Curtis was a member of First Baptist Church, Avon Park serving having been a deacon, Sunday School teacher and leading RA's.  He was an avid photographer and woodworker.  He loved people and especially...

Mr. Earl Thomas Gordon, 92, of Avon Park, died Thursday morning, May 12, 2022 at Somers Hospice House.  Originally from Whitehall, New York Earl was dedicated to serving his country and community.  He served honorably in the Army - Air Corps and then in the Air Force before transitioning to civilian life and moving with his family to Avon Park in 1959. Earl served as the Chief of Avon Park Police Department 1961 - 1971 and in 1973 he went to work for the Highlands...