Obituary of Jose Manuel Ortiz

Mr. Jose Manuel Ortiz, age 84 a resident of Winter Haven passed away Tuesday, September 8, 2020 at his home surrounded by family. Mr. Ortiz was born November 22, 1935 in Patillas, Puerto Rico to Santo and Candida (Ortiz) Laboy. He was a Winter Haven resident since 1956 coming from Puerto Rico. Jose was a Truck Driver for APAC Asphalt Company and a member of the Lakeland Four Square Pentecostal Church. He enjoyed gardening, woodworking, cooking, playing horseshoes, pool and spending time with his family. He was preceded in death by his parents; son – Kevin Ortiz; sister – Carmen Ortiz stepson – Raymond Worrall and 2 brothers. Jose is survived by his loving family, wife of 42 years – Wilma Ortiz of Winter Haven; 3 sons – Jose Juan (Jody) Ortiz of Auburndale, Michael (Sherry) Ortiz of Bartow and Damon Ortiz of Lakeland; 7 daughters – Rachel (Richard) Stringer of Lakeland, Juanita Marquess of Attica, IN., Anita (Lonnie) Bitterman of Ocala, Carmen (Jose) Colon of Winter Haven, Sylvia Hinojosa of Lakeland, Gracie Orchard of Lakeland and Tina Esparza of Groveland; 5 brothers – Jose, Frank, Juan, Junior & Tony; 4 sisters – Dora, Rosa, Santa & Carmen; 32 grandchildren and 33 great grandchildren. Funeral service will be held 11:00 am Monday, September 14th at Kersey Funeral Home with visitation beginning at 10:00 am at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Auburndale Memorial Park. DUE TO COVID REMEMBER WEAR YOUR MASK AND SOCIAL DISTANCE.