Barbara Ann Dack Corser
Barbara Ann Dack Corser, 79, of Valrico, Florida, formerly of Onondaga and Tompkins Township, Michigan, born in Eaton Rapids, Michigan on November 30, 1941, entered into eternal rest on June 15, 2021. Expressions of condolence at www.HopewellFuneral.com
James ‘Papa’ Jurnigan
James “Papa” Jurnigan, 86, of Plant City, Florida, born in Waycross, Georgia on November 8, 1934, entered into eternal rest on June 18, 2021. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.
Jon Louis Courson, Jr.
Jon Louis Courson, Jr., resident of Florida Presbyterian Homes in Lakeland, Florida, passed away on June 17, 2021 at age of 91.
Jon is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Peggy, his daughters Elaine Wiseman and Lyris Newman (Eric), brother Jerry Courson (Tracy), grandchildren Stephanie and Jeffrey Wiseman (Lindsey), Drew Newman (Ariel), Greg Courson Jr. and Jon Courson IV, and great-grandchildren Lily and Davis Wiseman and William Newman.
He is predeceased by his mother Clemmie Thomas Courson and sons Greg Courson and Jon Courson III.
Jon was born in Plant City on February 23, 1930, graduated from Bolles Military School, Jacksonville, Florida, and attended Stetson University.
He spent most of his career in the soft drink industry, serving as Senior Vice President of Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company of Tampa. After it was sold in 1987, Jon became Vice President and Treasurer of Parker Ventures.
As a leader in the soft drink industry, he served as President of both the Florida Soft Drink Association and the Southeastern Pepsi-Cola Bottlers Association.
Always a visionary, Jon founded and was the first President of the Business and Industry Recycling Program.
Jon is best remembered for his extremely active role in the community. During his illustrious career, Jon served as President of the Rotary Club of Tampa, the Sertoma Club of Tampa, the Merchants Association of Florida, Consumer Credit Counseling, the Temple Terrace Chamber of Commerce and was a Director of the Exchange Bank of Temple Terrace and Enterprise Bank of Tampa.
Perhaps Jon’s proudest accomplishments occurred when he was Chairman of the Board of University Community Hospital (AdventHealth Tampa) when he spearheaded the development of the Woman’s Center, the Child Care Center and the Pepin Heart Hospital as well the purchase of Carrollwood Hospital.
In recognition of his many contributions to his community, Jon was named Temple Terrace’s Citizen of the Year.
A seventh-generation Floridian, Jon was a proud member of the Sons of the American Revolution and Florida Pioneer Descendants. After retirement, Jon put his time and energy into perfecting his wood-turning skills. His bowls were most sought after in North Carolina and Florida and won many blue ribbons in art shows.
Services were held June 21, 2021 at Hopewell Funeral Home, 6005 South County Road 39, Plant City.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Loving Care Fund (memo – Endowment Fund) and sent to Florida Presbyterian Home, 16 Lake Hunter Drive, Lakeland, FL 33808. Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.
Delores ‘Gail’ Allen
Delores “Gail” Allen, 72, of Mulberry, Florida, born in Winter Haven on Dec. 11, 1948, entered into eternal rest on June 19, 2021.
Expressions of condolence at HopewellFuneral.com.
Robert ‘Harold’ Hutcheson,
Robert “Harold” Hutcheson, 88, of Plant City, Florida passed away on June 20, 2021. He was born on Oct. 20, 1932, in Red Bay, AL.
Harold was a retired salesman and a proud veteran of the US Navy. He was also a member of Youman’s Praise and Worship Center in Plant City as well as an active outdoorsman who loved to go hunting and fishing. Harold is survived by his wife, of 66 years, Juanita Hutcheson; children, Robert (Lisa) Hutcheson, Jr. of Lakeland, Florida, Malinda (Stan) Fortner of Plant City, Terry (Vicki) Hutcheson of Plant City, Lorie (Randy) Ingram of Lecanto, Florida; brother Edward Hutcheson of Wichita, Kansas; 13 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. A viewing will be Monday, June 28, 2021 from 10 a.m. until the funeral at 11 a.m. at Youman’s Praise and Worship Center.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Good Shepherd Hospice, 3470 Lakeland Hills Blvd., Lakeland, FL 33805. Condolences via: www.oakridgefuneralcare.com
Clarence Ruebeling
Clarence Ruebeling, 94, passed away on Thursday, June 17, 2021 in Plant City, FL. He was born in Plant City, Florida on Feb. 21, 1927.
Fond memories and condolences may be offered at www.wellsmemorial.com.
A. John Saranko
A. John Saranko, M.D., 76, of Plant City Florida, born on Feb. 20, 1945 in Tampa, entered into eternal rest on June 13, 2021.
He was known as “Johnny” when he graduated from Pinecrest School in 1962. He was honorably discharged from the United States Marine Corps with the rank of Sergeant, and as he always said: “Once a Marine, Always a Marine.”
In 1967, he married the love of his life Pat of South Carolina and later graduated from Clemson University in 1971. In 1977, he earned his M.D. from the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. He completed a residency in Family Practice at Halifax Hospital in Daytona Beach, serving as Chief Resident during his final year.
After many years away, Dr. John wanted to build his practice and raise his family in his hometown. He returned to Plant City in 1980 and established a solo medical practice. In 1998, he and Dr. Gregg Gutowski established the Family Practice Center of Plant City, where he cared for patients until his retirement in 2018. Not only was he a compassionate physician, he served in many volunteer positions in Plant City and state-wide. From volunteering as team doc for local high schools to serving in many leadership positions at South Florida Baptist Hospital, his dedication to improving healthcare in his community was always at the forefront.
He was an active member with the Florida Academy of Family Physicians, where he served as President and was honored as the Florida Family Physician of the Year.
He was a long time member of Welcome Baptist Church and knew Christ as his Lord and Savior. Being raised on the farm, he remained true to his roots. Some of his passions were his orange grove, raising cattle, and gardening. He was passionate about cycling, on- and off-road. He loved riding the back-country roads with his biking buddies as well as participating in organized rides throughout the Southeast. As a flatlander, his proudest accomplishment was completing the grueling Assault on Mt. Mitchell event at the age of 74.
Above all else, he loved his family and always made his wife and children a priority, generously pouring his time and love into their care. In his later years he dedicated a great deal of love and attention to his grandchildren, who knew him as Papa.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Pat; children, Chris (Tammi) of Roswell, Georgia, and Kim Whitaker (Andy) of Nashville, Tennessee; grandchildren, Lindsy, Samuel, Suzi, AJ, and Graham; siblings, James Saranko, Kathleen Adkins, and Joe Saranko (Sue). John was preceded in death by his parents, Andy and Juanita Saranko.
A funeral service will be held Friday, June 25 at 4:00 p.m. at Welcome Baptist Church, 11308 Welcome Church Street, Lithia, where the family will receive friends beginning at 3:00 p.m. He will lay in rest at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund at www.jdrf.org/donate and/or the American Diabetes Association at diabetes.org. Expressions of condolence at www.HopewellFuneral.com.
Carl Edward Stewart III
Carl Edward Stewart III, 50, passed away on Saturday, June 19th, 2021 in Ruskin, Florida. Formerly of Plano, Texas. He was born in Maryland on December 8, 1970. Fond memories and condolences may be offered at www.wellsmemorial.com.
