Kenneth Wickersham died June 22 at age 83. Courtesy photo.

Kenneth Alvin Wickersham of Homewood, Calif., died peacefully in his sleep on June 22, 2008. He was 83 years old.

He was born son of William and Margie Wickersham on August 18, 1924 in Springfield, Mo. He grew up in Hastings, Neb. from early childhood through young adulthood. He attended Platte Valley Academy in Shelton, Neb. for four years, where he met his sweetheart and future wife.

He proudly served his country in the military for three years at the end of World War II. Upon returning home from Europe in 1946, he married his sweetheart and they started a family.

In 1951 they moved to Houston, Texas where he took up auto body repair and then plumbing as trades to support his family. In 1958 he moved his family to California and returned to college where he and his wife, as young parents, completed their college education and began their professional careers.

He completed his master's degree at Pacific Union College in Angwin, Calif., and remained an educator for the remainder of his career, for his beloved church, the Seventh-Day Adventists.

Upon retiring he designed and built his own dream home, on the shores of Lake Tahoe, where he actively lived out the remainder of his life.

He was predeceased by his father, his mother and his brother.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Natalie; his daughter, Jeanette of Clear Lake; and his son, Ron of Napa.

He will be greatly missed by all who knew him, for he was a gentle spirit and a giving person who never hesitated to lend a helping hand to family, friends and neighbors. He now rests in the loving arms of our Savior and Beloved Master, Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Memorial services were held at the Heavenly Valley Seventh-Day Adventist Church in South Lake Tahoe, Calif., on Wednesday, June 25, 2008. Interment and a military graveside service were held at the Lower Lake Cemetery in Lower Lake, Calif. on Friday, June 27, 2008.

Arrangements in care of Truckee-Tahoe Mortuary and Crematory.

Published Friday, July 4, 2008.

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George cleaning a pool at Harbin Hot Springs in June 1987. The I-Ching Hexagram Gate (Wind over Earth) is behind him. Courtesy photo.

George (Oliver) Elder passed away May 26, 2008 at Lakeport Skilled Nursing Center. George was born October 21, 1936 in Mineral Wells, Texas, son of George Elder and Ethel (Waugh) Elder.

George lived in Lakeport for many years, but began visiting Lake County as a child. He and his family shared many fond memories of Austin Beach in Clearlake in the 1940s.

Beginning in the 1980s, George lived and worked at Harbin Hot Springs before moving to Lakeport.

An avid bicycle rider to the end, George was a steward of the Clear Lake shoreline, removing debris and driftwood from the lakeside at Lakeshore Boulevard and Rainbow Road, near his home. If it weren’t for George’s attentiveness, the many waterfowl and river otters that make that patch of tule reeds their home would have suffered.

Receiving an honorable discharge from the US Air Force in 1961, George will be interred at Hartley Cemetery in Lakeport.

George was my neighbor and I, along with his other neighbors, will miss him. He said he frequented the Lakeport Senior Center. If you knew him, or know anything about possible surviving relatives, please leave a comment below or contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

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Irene Harmston's remains were carried to Hartley Cemetery in a horse-drawn hearse, recently purchased by Chapel of the Lakes. Mrs. Harmston's funeral was the first use of the hearse. Photo courtesy of Woody Hughes.

Irene passed away peacefully at her home, April 3, 2008, at the age of 74, surrounded by loved ones, after a short battle with cancer. She was born Aug. 9, 1933 in Olympia, Wash., to Joseph and Cora Lawant.

At the age of 12, Irene and her family moved to Palo Alto. She was the youngest of four children. Irene graduated from Palo Alto High School in 1952. Irene married in 1953, and after having three children, moved to Lake County in March 1964. Here she made her home for the past 44 years. She went to work for Bank of America, and after her retirement, worked for a short time at Bank of Lake County.

Irene met and married Norman Harmston after a brief courtship. She volunteered her time to the Lakeport Senior Center and was a current volunteer with the Gleaners. Each year at voting time you would find her sitting on an election board. Irene stayed involved with her church and the VFW.

Irene loved being around people. She looked forward to trips to her sister Pat's. She helped her children with parties and get-togethers. She loved spending time with all of her children and grandchildren. Irene and Norm loved to entertain and play cards with their friends and she was known to occasionally be seen at the casino trying her arm out on the machines.

Irene will be sorely missed by everyone who knew her.

She is survived by her husband of 22 years, Norman Harmston; sister, Patricia Jack; children, Chris (Patrick) Lynch, Vicky (Dave) Cooper, Carol Lima (Steve Winant), Lynn (Sheryl) Harmston and Clayton (Marlene) Harmston; grandchildren, Shannon, Keith, Becky, Dustin, Jon, Molly, Chelsie, Kevin, Zoe, William and Katie Lynn; two great-grandchildren, Larsen and Jacob; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Earl, sister Catherine, brother-in-law Dale Jack, and nephew Dana.

A celebration of life and memorial service was held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 9 at the United Christian Parish, 745 N. Brush Street, Lakeport, officiated by Chaplain Woody Hughes and the Rev. Diana Green followed by a special memorial service by the Ladies Auxiliary VFW Post 2015 at the VFW Post 2015 Plot at Hartley Cemetery.

Family prefers donations in Irene's memory to the American Cancer Society.

For further information contact Chapel of the Lakes at 263-0357 or 994-5611 or vist www.chapelofthelakes.com.

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June was a longtime resident of Lucerne and Clearlake until moving with her son and his family to Maine.

She is survived by her twin sister, Rosemary; daughter, Kathryn; son, William (wife Gloria); grandsons, Edward (wife Megan) and Tyler; granddaughters, Jessica and Melanie; great-granddaughter, Makena; and June's beloved companion, Pepper.

She retired from Lakeside Community Hospital after a 35-year nursing career. June volunteered for many years as a member of the Lucerne Fire Department. She enjoyed traveling, visiting family and friends. She was an avid football fan and bowler for many years. June will be remembered for her sense of humor and her loyal friendship.

Although she wouldn’t want anyone to fuss, there will be a small service to celebrate her life at the Clearlake Methodist Church in Clearlake on April 12 at 10 a.m.

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