Margaret Lorene Forbes Gavin, 93, of Plant City, died May 3, 2014. Mrs. Gavin was born on March 7, 1921, in Plant City, and grew up during the Great Depression. She worked hard and helped family and friends to survive during those trying times. She married her husband, Bill, only to see him off to […]
Continue ReadingNeighbors
Obituary: Bethel H. Goddard
Bethel H. Goddard, 84, of Plant City, died April 13, 2014. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, served in the Korean War, was a foster parent for 40 years and a member of First Baptist Church of Dover. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Annie; children, Allen Goddard (Patty), Lori […]
Continue ReadingObituary: James E. ‘Gene’ Mindedahl Jr.
James E. “Gene” Mindedahl Jr., 58, of Plant City, died May 1, 2014. He is survived by his wife of 32 years, Carol; children, Cara “C.J.” Balliett (Aaron) and Caty Mindedahl; grandson, Liam James Balliett; mother, Mavis Mindedahl; brother, Johnny Mindedahl; and many loving family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his […]
Continue ReadingObituary: Jose Ponce
Jose Ponce, 57, of Dover, died April 28, 2014. He is survived by his mother, Socorro Ponce; siblings, Emerita (Antonio), Salvador (Lidia), Roberto, Delia (Eliseo), Juan (Elvia), Guadalupe (Alma), Martha (Agustin), Israel (Lucy) and Veronica (Hector); and many nieces, nephews and loving family. He was preceded in death by his father, Lorenzo Ponce. A Funeral […]
Continue ReadingObituary: Karen Ponce
Karen Ponce, 58, of Plant City, died April 28, 2014. She is survived by her husband of 38 years, Roberto; children, Robert, Patrick (Carrie), Joseph and David (Beth); grandchildren, Maddison, BeaAnna, Blake, Logan and Loraina; and siblings, Patricia and Kenny. She was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Edna Stevens. A Funeral Mass […]
Continue ReadingObituary: John Bauer
John “Jack” Bauer, 78, of Mulberry, died April 30, 2014. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Allison Bauer; children Annelisa, Marianne, John Jr. (Kelly) and William; grandchildren, Cassandra, Shannara, Jessie Jr., and Michael; and many cousins and friends. A Celebration of Life took place May 5, at Hopewell Funeral Home, Plant City. […]
Continue ReadingPHOTO GALLERY: Weaver Believer Survival Revival
Hopewell Baptist Church began the festivities for its 144th Homecoming with a bluegrass concert May 3, at the church. The Georgia-based Weaver Believer Survival Revival, a bluegrass band featuring the Weaver family, performed a variety of famous bluegrass tunes, Christian hymns and even original material. Although the matriarch of the group, Chris Weaver, did not […]
Continue ReadingWEEKEND BEST BET: East Hillsborough Historical Society Spring Tour of Homes
East Hillsborough Historical Society Spring Tour of Homes — The 2014 Spring Tour of Homes, presented by the East Hillsborough Historical Society, will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, May 3. The tour will begin at the 1914 Plant City High School Community Center, 605 N. Collins St. Homes include 805 N. […]
Continue ReadingPlant City 5-year-old beats cancer
If one thing is true about Ava Raab, she’s certainly not shy. Sitting at a picnic table at the Tampa Bay Blueberry Festival, the vivacious 5-year-old munches on some chicken and recounts the amazing story of how she broke her arm over spring break. “A bear came up, so I kicked him, and he flew […]
Continue ReadingPlant City churches welcome new leaders
THE REV. COLE DODD FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF MIDWAY It takes a few minutes for the Rev. Cole Dodd to rattle off all the places he lived growing up as a child. With an insurance claims adjuster for a mother, Dodd always seemed to find himself in the middle of tragedy. In 1992, when everyone […]
Continue Reading
