Death notices published by the funeral homes that serve Lakeland and nearby towns, newest first, for the last 30 days. Each entry lists only the facts the funeral home has published: the name, the age where given, the hometown, the date of death and the service details. To read the full obituary, sign the guest book or send flowers, follow the notice link to the funeral home's own page.

Notices on this page come from Heath Funeral Chapel & Crematory. The list is checked every day; it was last updated Nov. 6, 2026.

Families and funeral homes can also submit an obituary to run in full on Lakeland News Today, free of charge.

Recent notices

Week of Nov. 2

Lawrence "Buddy" Ballard, 77

Of Lakeland. Died Nov. 2, 2026.

  • Visitation: Monday, Nov. 9, 1 to 2 p.m., Mt. Tabor Baptist Church, 3504 Mt. Tabor Road, Lakeland
  • Funeral service: Monday, Nov. 9, 2 to 3 p.m., Mt. Tabor Baptist Church, 3504 Mt. Tabor Road, Lakeland
  • Burial: Monday, Nov. 9, 3 to 4 p.m., Mt. Tabor Cemetery, 3504 Mount Tabor Road, Lakeland

Notice: Heath Funeral Chapel & Crematory

Week of Oct. 19

Vincent Glenn Marsh, 75

Of Lakeland. Died Oct. 21, 2026.

  • Visitation: Thursday, Nov. 5, 8:30 to 10 a.m., Heath Funeral Chapel & Crematory, 328 S. Ingraham Ave., Lakeland
  • Mass: Thursday, Nov. 5, 11 a.m. to noon, Resurrection Catholic Church, 333 Terrace Way, Lakeland
  • Burial: Thursday, Nov. 5, 2 to 3 p.m., Florida National Cemetery, 6502 SW 102nd Ave., Bushnell

Notice: Heath Funeral Chapel & Crematory

Hazel Hammond Harbison, 97

Of Lakeland. Died Oct. 19, 2026.

  • Graveside service: Saturday, Oct. 24, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Oak Hill Burial Park, 4620 U.S. Highway 98 South, Lakeland

Notice: Heath Funeral Chapel & Crematory

Sofia Villanueva, 61

Died Oct. 24, 2026.

  • Visitation: Sunday, Nov. 1, 2 to 7 p.m., Heath Funeral Chapel & Crematory, 328 S. Ingraham Ave., Lakeland

Notice: Heath Funeral Chapel & Crematory

Richard Jude Kiley, 84

Died Oct. 23, 2026.

  • Visitation: Monday, Nov. 9, 5 to 7 p.m., Heath Funeral Chapel & Crematory, 328 S. Ingraham Ave., Lakeland
  • Mass: Tuesday, Nov. 10, 10 to 11 a.m., St. Joseph Catholic Church, 210 W. Lemon St., Lakeland
  • Burial: Tuesday, Nov. 10, 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., Florida National Cemetery, 6502 SW 102nd Ave., Bushnell

Notice: Heath Funeral Chapel & Crematory

Elizabeth Marie Crawford, 72

Died Oct. 22, 2026.

  • Graveside service: Tuesday, Oct. 27, 10 to 11 a.m., Oak Hill Burial Park, 4620 U.S. Highway 98 South, Lakeland

Notice: Heath Funeral Chapel & Crematory

Week of Oct. 12

John Leroy Blair, 71

Of Lakeland. Died Oct. 16, 2026.

  • Visitation: Friday, Oct. 23, 10 to 11 a.m., Heath Funeral Chapel & Crematory, 328 S. Ingraham Ave., Lakeland
  • Funeral service: Friday, Oct. 23, 11 a.m. to noon, Heath Funeral Chapel & Crematory, 328 S. Ingraham Ave., Lakeland
  • Graveside service: Friday, Oct. 23, 1:30 to 2 p.m., Springhead Cemetery, County Line Road, Lakeland

Notice: Heath Funeral Chapel & Crematory

Helen Cecilia Kondolf, 95

Of Lakeland. Died Oct. 15, 2026.

  • Mass: Thursday, Oct. 22, 1 to 2 p.m., Resurrection Catholic Church, 333 Terrace Way, Lakeland
  • Burial: Thursday, Oct. 22, Oak Hill Burial Park, 4620 U.S. Highway 98 South, Lakeland

Notice: Heath Funeral Chapel & Crematory

Week of Oct. 5

Kenna Patricia Holmes, 71

Of Lakeland. Died Oct. 11, 2026.

  • Visitation: Thursday, Oct. 22, 5 to 7 p.m., Heath Funeral Chapel & Crematory, 328 S. Ingraham Ave., Lakeland
  • Mass: Friday, Oct. 23, 11 a.m., Resurrection Catholic Church, 333 Terrace Way, Lakeland

Notice: Heath Funeral Chapel & Crematory

Jennifer Spears Phillips, 82

Died Oct. 8, 2026.

  • Memorial service: Saturday, Oct. 17, 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., First Presbyterian Church Sanctuary, 175 Lake Hollingsworth Drive, Lakeland

Notice: Heath Funeral Chapel & Crematory

Frequently asked questions

Where can I find recent obituaries in Lakeland?

This page lists the death notices published in the last 30 days by one funeral home serving Lakeland, updated every day. Each entry links to the funeral home's full obituary.

How do I submit an obituary to Lakeland News Today?

Use the form at the foot of this page, or ask the funeral home to send it. We publish it as written, free of charge, after a phone or email check with the person who sent it.

Which funeral homes serve Lakeland?

The notices here come from Heath Funeral Chapel & Crematory.

Why does this page not show the full obituary?

An obituary is written by the family or the funeral home and belongs to them, so we list the facts and link to the funeral home's page, where the full obituary, photos and guest book are.

How long does a notice stay on this page?

Thirty days from the date of death. The funeral home's own page keeps the obituary after that.

Submit an obituary

Anyone may submit a notice for a person who lived in or had close ties to Lakeland or Polk County. Funeral homes can submit on a family's behalf and are named in the notice. We publish within one working day, after a phone or email check with the submitter. There is no charge.

Photos: reply to our confirmation email with a photo attached. We publish it with the credit "Photo: courtesy of the family" unless you tell us otherwise.

How obituaries work here

  • We publish what the family or funeral home sends, with a light copy edit for spelling. We do not add facts, causes of death or quotes.
  • We confirm every submission by phone or email before it goes live, to prevent hoaxes.
  • Notices stay online permanently. Service details are updated on request.
  • A notable death may also be reported as a news story; that is written separately from the record, and never presented as an obituary.