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William Hoffses, 77, Vocational Center
WINTER HAVEN -- His ability to talk to students allowed Mr. William J. "Will" Hoffses of Winter Haven to have a successful career in education.
Mr. Hoffses died of cancer Friday (Aug. 20, 2004) in Auburndale. He was 77.
Born Nov. 3, 1926, in Brooklyn, N.Y., he came to Winter Haven from Lakeland in 1947.
A graduate of Florida Southern College, Mr. Hoffses began his teaching career at Eloise Elementary. He taught at several area schools before becoming the diversified cooperative training coordinator for Winter Haven High School, placing students in jobs and training them for real-world experiences.
"At high schools, sometimes he taught English and sometimes math, " said his wife, Josephine Hoffses. But she said the DCT program was his specialty.
In 1973, Mr. Hoffses became director of Polk Vocational Technical Center.
"While he was director, he doubled the size of the school, " his wife said.
His personality was what allowed him to go far in life, his wife said. He made time to talk with people -- whether they were students or colleagues, she said.
"He was interested in people which, to us, made him a success, " she said. "He was not afraid to listen to people and their suggestions."
Mr. Hoffses was a veteran of the U.S. Navy who served in World War II. He was a member of the Elks Club, Moose Club and American Legion Post 8. He also belonged to the NEA, FEA, AARP and attended St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Winter Haven.
Along with his wife, Mr. Hoffses is survived by his daughters, Jody Miller, Auburndale, Peggy Kennedy, Winter Haven; and three grandchildren.
Services will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Winter Haven.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Camp Wingmann.
Steele's Family Funeral Services, Winter Haven.
Robert Dru, 94, Lakeland Lounge
LAKELAND -- Mr. Robert James Dru of Lakeland, the manager of the Lakeland Lounge for more than 30 years, died of renal failure Sunday (Aug. 15, 2004) at Good Shepherd Hospice. He was 94.
He was born March 29, 1910.
Mr. Dru was a veteran of the Air Force, serving in World War II. He was serving in the military police when he first came to Lakeland.
Stefanie Dru-Estepp, his granddaughter, enjoyed the stories he would tell about his time in the military.
"His passing was a great loss to family and friends, " she said. "He will truly be missed."
During the 1950s Mr. Dru served as assistant dean of students at Florida Southern College. Friend Charles Kells Jr. offered him a job as manager of Lakeland Lounge, his granddaughter said. He retired from the lounge 33 years later.
"My grandpa was very sweet, joyful and always full of happiness. He made me laugh with every word he said, " grandson Christopher Dru said.
In addition to grandchildren Stefanie and Christopher, Mr. Dru is survived by his wife of 61 years, Anne Dru, son, Steve P. Dru, Lakeland; sister, Francis Richter, Clinton, Mass.; granddaughter, Stacey D. Owen; and two great-grandchildren.
Services will be held this e vening at 6:30 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, Lakeland.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Blue Team at Good Shepherd Hospice, Lakeland and Auburndale.
WILLIAM AVERITTE, 74
Maintenance Worker
AUBURNDALE -- Mr. William "Bill" Averitte of Auburndale died of cardiovascular disease Monday (Aug. 9, 2004). He was 74.
He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving in Korea, and was awarded three Bronze Stars. He was a maintenance worker for Elizabeth City, N.C.
Mr. Averitte is survived by his caregiver, Carlene Loatwall, Auburndale.
Cremation Services of Mid Florida, Davenport.
THUNDER JOE KENNEDY, 20
Musician
LAKELAND -- Mr. Thunder Joe Kennedy of Lakeland died Wednesday, (Dec. 10, 2003) at his home. He was 20.
Born July 1, 1983, in Lakeland, he was a lifelong resident of the area. He was a musician. He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church.
Mr. Kennedy is survived by his father, Stormy Kennedy, Lakeland; mother, Karen Kennedy, Lakeland; brothers, Rayne Kennedy, Cloud Kennedy, Wind Kennedy and Breeze Kennedy, all of Lakeland; sisters, Susan Kennedy and Joey Kennedy, both of Lakeland.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Monday at Calvary Baptist Church, Lakeland.
Lanier Funeral Home.
ROBERT MATSELL, 52
Polk County
LAKELAND -- Mr. Robert Keith Matsell of Lakeland died Monday (March 15, 2004). He was 52.
Born in Jacksonville on Feb. 26, 1952, he came to Lakeland from Cape Coral more than eight years ago. He was building director for Polk County.
Mr. Matsell is survived by his wife, Heather Matsell; daughters, Laura Matsell and Lisa Matsell, both of Lakeland; parents, Chuck and Emile Matsell, Jacksonville; and sisters, Louise Sharigan, Palm Beach Gardens, and Gail Matsell, Jacksonville.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Heath Funeral Chapel.
Jeffrey Spurlock, 41, Sheriff's Office
WINTER HAVEN -- Mr. Jeffrey Wayne Spurlock began his career in law enforcement while serving in the Army as a military police.
The detention deputy and recruiter for the Polk County Sheriff's Office died Wednesday (Nov. 5, 2003) at Lakeland Regional Medical Center after a long battle with cancer. He was 41.
"Selflessness, courageous, and perseverance would be the easy way to sum Jeff up. He had very strong virtues around those. He was extremely generous and kind. He would go out of his way to assist anyone, " longtime friend, Vince Krakau of Winter Haven said.
Born in Atlanta, Ga., on Nov. 12, 1962, he grew up in Lake Placid where he had lived since he was two years old.
He served in the Army on active duty for three years, stationed at Fort Jackson in Columbia, S.C., and for three years on non-active duty.
Mr. Spurlock, whose father also served in law enforcement, came to Winter Haven in 1985. He worked for the Polk County Sheriff's Office for more than 10 years and was the recipient of the Marshall Anderson Award presented to him by the department this year.
"He worked in their booking area, in the jail. The last job he held with the Sheriff's (Office) was detention deputy, but he was a recruiter for them in human resources. He was a training officer for them too. He did everything for them. That was his life, " his wife, Charlene E. Spurlock said.
The couple would have been married 21 years in December.
As an outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting and fishing. He also enjoyed traveling and spending time with his niece.
"His pride and joy right now was his niece. We have a new niece about a year old. Her name is Bailey. He loved her so much, and he loved being an uncle, " Charlene Spurlock said.
He was a Baptist.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Spurlock is survived by his mother, Carole E. Spurlock, Sebring; brothers, Rusty Spurlock, Avon Park, Jon Spurlock, Sebring; sister, Deanna Spurlock, Sebring.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday at Lakeland Funeral Home. Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at First Baptist Church of Bartow.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, Polk County Units Main Office, 809 S. Florida Ave., Lakeland, 33801, or Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation.
