Jack Ellis Long
Jack Ellis Long, age 79, passed away peacefully March 13, 2022 and entered his heavenly home surrounded by his loving children, their mother and other family members.
Ellis was born November 4, 1942, in Plant City where he lived his entire life.
He was preceded in death by his parents Homer and Louise Long, son Charles Alan Long. He is survived by daughters Lisa Long and Sharon (Terry) Field, son David (Leigh Ann) Long, Nancy Beasley, best friend and mother of his children, grandchildren Erin, Emma and Evan Long, Lauren and Rebecca Field, sister Diane (Butch) Tucker, sister-in-law Rose Ann Pennington, and nieces Kristie, Katie, Jody and Cindy. (He will also be missed by his pets Benny Boy, Brutus and Nala.)
Ellis was in the graduating class of 1961 at Plant City High. While in high school he lettered in both baseball and basketball. He later played semi-pro baseball. His love of sport continued throughout his lifetime. He had many fond memories of playing softball and traveling to different cities and states to play in state and national tournaments, which his team usually won. His son also played on the team and was a great source of pride to his dad. As Ellis got older, he continued to play softball in the 40, 50, and 60 year old’s age leagues. As a boy, his family vacationed every summer at Lake Wier near Ocala. where he excelled at water skiing. He taught his children and many of their cousins and friends to ski as well. His love of sports extended to the Lightning, the Bucs, the Rays, and the Gators.
Following High School, Ellis went to work for American Cyanamid. He began as an oiler on the draglines and worked his way up to Maintenance Superintendent, at American Cyanamid and later at IMC. After retirement he worked as Maintenance Superintendent for the Strawberry Festival. Ellis became a Christian at an early age and was Baptized at Southside Baptist Church in Plant City. He had a strong faith in God. He was friendly and hardworking, willing to help anyone in need and had a ready smile for all he met. He never said anything bad about anyone. He loved his children dearly and they would tell you he was a wonderful father who was perfect in their eyes. The family will be eternally grateful to his two “adopted” sons, Barron Huber and Timmy Walker for the loving care they gave Ellis during his last years, and he truly loved them like sons. Ellis will be deeply missed by his family and his many friends. We did not say goodbye, but rather see you later because we know he will be waiting for us to join him in Heaven. A Memorial Service will be Held Saturday, March 26, 2022, at Shiloh Baptist Church, 905 West Terrace Drive in Plant City.
Visitation form 10 to 11 a.m. with services at 11.
Mr. James Joseph Weakland
Mr. James Joseph Weakland, 76, passed away Monday, March 21, 2022 at the Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home. He was born in Detroit, MI on Oct. 8, 1945. Mr. Weakland was a loving father and grandfather. He earned a Bachelor of Science from Florida State University in criminal justice, serving Forsyth County as the longest-standing chief court counselor from 1975-1993. He brought innovation to the field as the first in the United States to be awarded a grant for electronic monitoring on juveniles in the court system and co-authored an article on the subject.
Preceding him in death were his parents, James Arnold and Edna Pearl Weakland. Surviving is a daughter, Maribeth Duggins (Chris); daughter, Mollie Weakland; daughter, Hannah Herrington (James); son, Zac Weakland; son, Jacob Weakland; also surviving are six grandchildren, Collier, Graham, Caroline, Henry, Judah, and Harlo.
A memorial service will be held at 4 p.m., March 26, 2022 at Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel.
Online condolences may be made at www.hayworth-miller.com.
John ‘Jack’ Hanson
John “Jack” Hanson, 84, of Plant City, Fla., born in Philadelphia, Penn. on July 17, 1937, entered into eternal rest on March 17, 2022.
Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.
Fredda Jones
Fredda Jones, 83, of Plant City, Fla., born on Oct. 26, 1938, entered into eternal rest on March 20, 2022.
Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.
Louis Gunn
Louis Gunn, 80, of Lakeland, Fla., born in Minneapolis, Minn. on September 12, 1941, entered into eternal rest on March 18, 2022.
Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.
Brenda Kay Linton
Brenda Kay Linton, 72, of Plant City, Fla., passed away on March 15, 2022. The family will receive friends March 25, 2022 from 12 to 1 p.m. at Haught Funeral Home Chapel, 708 W. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Plant City, FL 33563. Funeral services will follow at 1:00 PM.
Online condolences may be left for the family at haught.care.
Jorge Humberto Lopez
Jorge Humberto Lopez, 79, of Plant City, Fla., passed away on March 18, 2022. Services will be held privately.
Online condolences may be left for the family at www.haught.care.
Patricia Ann Williams
Patricia Ann Williams, 80, passed away on Aug. 12, 2021. The family will receive friends March 26, 2022 from 2 to 2:30 p.m. at Haught Funeral Home Chapel, 708 W. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Plant City, FL 33563. A Memorial Service will follow at 2:30 PM.
Online condolences may be left for the family at haught.care.
Jennifer Aldana
Jennifer Aldana, age 16, of Plant City, Fla., passed away on March 19, 2022. The family will receive friends March 24, 2022 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Haught Funeral Home Chapel, 708 W. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Plant City, FL 33563. A Funeral Mass will take place March 25, 2022 at St. Clement Catholic Church at 12:30 p.m.
Online condolences may be left for the family at haught.care.
Ricky O. Gambrell
Ricky O. Gambrell, 60, of Plant City, passed March 18, 2022. He was a United States Army Veteran. Per his request no services will be held.
Online condolences may be left for the family at haught.care.
Aline Bass Watson
Aline Bass Watson, 82, of Plant City, Fla., passed away on Friday, Feb. 18, 2022. Aline was born May 29, 1939 in Opp, Ala. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.WellsMemorial.com for the Watson family.
Carl Edward McCoy
Carl Edward McCoy, of Plant City, Fla. passed away on Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.WellsMemorial.com for the McCoy family.
Santos Arenas Hernandez
Santos Arenas Hernandez, 65, of Dover, Fla. passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022. Santos was born Feb. 4, 1957. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.WellsMemorial.com for the Hernandez family.
Elizabeth ‘Beth’ Rose Sherrod
Elizabeth (Beth) Rose Sherrod, 71, of Babson Park, Fla. entered into Heaven’s Gates on Feb. 22, 2022. She was born on April 8, 1950, in Bridgeport, CT. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.WellsMemorial.com for the Sherrod family.
Barbara ‘Shirley’ Biese
Barbara (Shirley) Biese, 77, of Plant City, Fla. passed away on Feb. 23, 2022. Shirley was born June 1, 1944 in Phillipsburg, NJ. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.WellsMemorial.com for the Biese family.
Bonnie Troy
Bonnie Troy, 84, of Plant City, Fla., passed away on Feb. 26, of complications related to Parkinson’s Disease. Bonnie was born June 12, 1937. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.WellsMemorial.com for the Troy family.
Felipe Gallegos
Felipe Gallegos, 58, of Plant City, Florida passed away on Thursday, March 3, 2022. Felipe was born April 11, 1963. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.WellsMemorial.com for the Gallegos family.
Allen W Cote
Allen W Cote, 84, of Plant City, Fla., passed away on Friday, March 4, 2022. Allen was born Feb. 15, 1938. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.WellsMemorial.com for the Cote family.
Carl ‘Fred’ Difani
It is with a heavy heart that we let you know that Carl (Fred) Difani, 79, passed away on March 10, 2022. He was born in Festus, Missouri to Kay and Ham Difani. Fred was in the Air Force as a young man, a charter pilot, the purchasing manager at Gardner Asphalt and then, after “retirement”, worked at Collins Veterinary Services.
He enjoyed golf, announcing local horse shows and playing pickle ball at the YMCA. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Lynne; son, Greg and wife, Beth; daughter Ellynne and husband Brian; grandchildren Wyatt, Luke, Justin, Quinn and Kate; sisters Cathy, El and Margy and nieces and nephews.
Visitation was held at Wells Funeral Home in Plant City (1903 W. Reynolds Street) on March 22, 2022. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Hope Equine Rescue https://hopeequinerescue.com/, the James Haley VA Hospital or a charity of your choosing.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.WellsMemorial.com for the Difani family.