Who We Are

Lakeland Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens takes great pride in its reputation of being the leading funeral service provider in our community. Our family and staff are dedicated to ensuring that each funeral reflects the unique life of the deceased and, at the same time, is meaningful and supportive for those left behind. We offer creative ideas and options to help tailor your arrangements to suit you and your family, and we take care of all the complex details for you.

Our staff of professional funeral directors have years of experience compassionately caring for families at the most difficult time of their lives. Our goal is to assist the family in their selection of a fitting tribute to their loved one. We offer families the choice of earth burial, cremation, aboveground entombment and other memorial options that meet the family's needs. We have designed our web site to answer many of the funeral service questions that people typically have. Please call or e-mail us if you have any additional questions or comments about our firm or any aspect of funeral service.

Our Valued Staff

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  Kelly Paul Lyon, Funeral Director/Funeral Director In Charge

  Kelly Paul Lyon, CFSP is a veteran of funeral service for over 28 years of experience with licenses in Florida, Michigan and Illinois. He brings to Lakeland Funeral Home a wide variety of experience from owning his own funeral home in Michigan to managing and operating funeral homes in Florida and Illinois. Kelly is also professionally licensed as a Florida Insurance Agent. His commitment to the families he serves carries over into his personal life. He is a dedicated martial artist and teaches Tae Kwon Do four nights a week at Lakeland’s largest martial arts schools and also enjoys playing golf. Kelly is married to his wife, Dan and they have made their home here in Lakeland since 2005. They enjoy spending time travelling, especially to Dan’s home in the country of China. Kelly also has four children, Sidne, Mallory, Michael and Danilin.

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  Ronnie Carl Hicks, Embalmer/Funeral Director

  Ronnie C. Hicks was raised in Louisville, KY and graduated from high school in 1974. After completing high school he joined the U.S. Army and is a Vietnam War Veteran. Ronnie was with the 25th Infantry Division and his tours of duties include Hawaii, Ft. Sam, Houston, TX, and Ft. Know, KY as a Combat Medical Aidman. After serving 10 years in the U. S. Army he attended Mid America College of Funeral Service in Jeffersonville, IN where he received his Associate of Science Degree in Funeral Service. Ronnie has been a Lakeland, FL resident since 1985. He is a member of the United States Military Vets Motorcycle Club serving as the Vice President of the North Florida State Chapter and is also a member of the Polk County Veterans Council. Ronnie joined the Lakeland Funeral Home family in 2001 and is our lead embalmer and also the Site Safety Supervisor.

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  Richard Gandy, Funeral Director

  Richard C. "Rick" Gandy is a lifelong resident of Lakeland. Rick began working in the funeral industry at age 16 as a part time assistant. After graduating from Lakeland High School, he attended Miami-Dade Community College where he recieved his degree in Mortuary Science. He returned to Lakeland and eventually owned his own funeral home until his retirement in 2005. After a five year retirement, he realized that he missed his profession and the families that he had the opportunity to serve, so he joined the staff at Lakeland Funeral Home. Rick enjoys time with his wife Dee, traveling, hunting and racing his Porsche.

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  Orville Lee Dials, Family Services

  Orville came to Lakeland, FL 28 years ago, after working 15 years with the Tampa Tribune. He joined Carriage Services with Lakeland Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens 13 years ago. Working in Family Services most of his career gives him the opportunity of helping families prepare for the future. He is happily married with 3 children and 4 grandchildren. He enjoys all sports especially, fishing, golfing, and bowling.

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  Pamela Beck, Family Services

  Pamela began her career at Lakeland Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens in 2004 as a Family Services Coordinator. She is a lifelong resident of Winter Haven, FL. Pamela is married to a wonderful husband, and has five beautiful daughters. She enjoys working out and spending time with her family.

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  Lisa Wood, Family Services

  Lisa C. Wood, originally from Lakeland, spent 15 years in Tennessee where she raised her 3 children, got her degree and started her career in Family Service. Upon returning to Lakeland in 1999, she worked in the medical field until returning to Family Service with Lakeland Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens in 2006. Lisa is passionate about the responsibility that one has to his/her family regarding the inevitable obligation of making final arrangements. She is active in educating the community through seminars and speaking engagements to the fundamental steps of pre-planning and the benefits of providing protection and peace of mind to the love ones left behind. Lisa and her husband, Charlie are blessed with a blended family of 5 children and 4 grandchildren.

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  Julio Llompart, Advanced Planning Representative

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  Suzie Wiggs Sanchez, Office Manager

  Suzie began her career at Lakeland Funeral Home and Memorial Gardens in 1998 joining as the Front Office Receptionist. Suzie quickly realized her passion for this profession and was soon promoted to the position she currently holds as Office Manager. Suzie is a lifelong residence of Lakeland, where she graduated from George Jenkins High School. When she is not managing her qualified staff she loves spending time with her husband, daughter and step-son, whom are all members of Highland Park Church of the Nazarene.

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  Michelle Mouncey, Administration

  Michelle is a lifelong resident of Lakeland and thoroughly enjoys raising her two boys in the same town she grew up in. Michelle is no stranger to the funeral industry, having spent seven plus years with us at Lakeland Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens. Being an active member of our administrative team she takes great pride in helping families with any questions that might arise with any of their arrangement accounts.

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  Yolanda Santos, Administration

  Yolanda moved to Lakeland in 1986 and joined our Lakeland Memorial Gardens family in 2006 as a our cemetery administrator. In this role Yolanda coordinates the managing of all our memorial orders. When Yolanda is away from the office she is spending time with her two daughters and three grandchildren. She also loves visiting her family in Chicago.

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  Brandy Sowell, Administration

  Brandy is a lifelong resident of Polk Conty. She became part of the Lakeland Funeral Home family in June of 2008 as an Administrative Assistant. Brandy became an EMT in december of 2009, she also enjoys spending time with her family.

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  Robert DeRushia, Funeral Assistant

  Robert "Tito" moved to Lakeland in 2005 from Washington, D.C. and Northern Virginia area. He retired from George Washington University Hospital after 28 years of service. Robert had always been fascinated by the funeral industry and decided to seek a new career. He joined our family in 2005 as a Funeral Assistant.

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  Jerry Moore, Ambassador

  Jerry moved to Florida in 1993 and retired in 2005. He worked in a funeral home for two years back in the early 60's. Jerry served in the US Army in the Vietnam and Korean wars and retired in 1975 and held the rank of Captain. He joined the Lakeland Funeral Home family as an Ambassador in March of 2006.

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  Terry Smith, Ambassador

  Terry is a native of Royal Oak of Michigan. He attended Northern Michigan University. Terry is married with 2 sons and 2 step daughters. He served as a boy Scout Master and Little League Coach. His work history includes; store manager, VP of building supply company to owner of own business. Terry joined our Lakeland Funeral Home family in 2006 as an Ambassador.

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  Ellen Distler, Ambassador

  Ellen and her husband Chuck moved to Lakeland from Maryland on May 30, 1987. She worked at Florida Baptist Children's Home for over 7 years as a Houseparent. She also worked at Watson Clinic Kidney Center as a Dialysis Technician for over 9 years. Ellen retired on February 28, 2004. In July of 2008, Ellen joined our Lakeland Funeral Home family as an Ambassador.

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  Charles Distler, Ambassador

  Charles "Chuck" and his wife Ellen moved to Lakeland from Maryland on May 30, 1987. Chuck worked at Florida Baptist Children's Home for over 7 years as a Houseparent. He also worked at Rubber & Accessories for over 9 years as a Shipping & Receiving Manager. Chuck retired on February 28, 2004. In July of 2008, Chuck joined our Lakeland Funeral Home family as an Ambassador.

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  Pastor James Hagan, Ambassador

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  Lawrence Pigg, Ambassador

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  Nicholas Nesta, Ambassador

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  Andy Tuttle, Grounds Superintendant

  Andy has been in the funeral industry since 1985. Andy joined Lakeland Memorial Gardens in 1999 as a Cemetery Supervisor. Andy enjoys camping and spending time with his family.

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  Albe Gonzalez, Grounds Crew

  Albe moved to Lakeland from New York in 1996. Albe joined our grounds crew family of Lakeland Memorial Gardens in 1998. He is a proud father of 3 and enjoys spending time with his family.

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  Johnny Lee Christian Jr., Grounds Crew

  Johnny moved to Lakeland and joined our grounds crew family of Lakeland Memorial Gardens in January of 1991. Johnny has a passion for riding his bicycle.

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  Monroe Haltaman Jr., Family Service Counselor