Joe Harrell Aplin

Crown Cork & Seal

WINTER HAVEN - Joe Harrell Aplin, 79, passed away peacefully at home in hospice care surrounded by his loving family 6/28/2014, due to cancer.

Joe was born in Florala, Alabama 2/19/35. He moved to Eloise, Florida in 1952 where he later met and married his devoted wife of 59 years, Gracie Faye Aplin. Joe retired from Crown Cork and Seal can company at age 52, and he and Gracie spent their leisure years doing what he loved most - traveling the country in their travel trailer. Joe was a Master Mason with the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons #186, a member of Winter Haven Church of God, and volunteered over 20 years as a chaplain for the Polk County jail system.

Joe leaves behind one sister, Katie B. Casey, and was predeceased by his sisters, Eva Calhoun, Edna Melton, and brothers Aaron and Farrell Aplin.

He will be greatly missed by his wife Gracie Aplin, children Sheila Hager, Pam and Lonnie Mathews, and grandchildren Jessica Hager, Joseph Hager, Courtney Mathews, Michelle Sestile, and Shannon Icenogle. He also has 7 great-grandchildren and 1 great-great grandson.

A viewing for family and friends will be held Wednesday, July 2nd, from 6 to 8 pm at Ott-Laughlin Funeral Home, 645 W Central Avenue, Winter Haven, FL. The funeral will be held Thursday, July 3rd, at 10:00 am at the Winter Haven Church of God, 327 7th Street SW, Winter Haven, FL. Burial will follow at the Church of Christ Cemetery in Eagle Lake, FL.