Lake County News,California

Obits

: Elizabeth Larson; Posted On Tuesday, 05 March 2024 00:40; 05 March 2024

Russell Richard Dover

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. — Russell Richard Dover, 76, of Kelseyville passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Feb. 28, 2024.

He was born on June 11, 1947, in Cedar City, Utah, to Richard Bryant Dover and Mina Elmyra Wilson and he was the oldest of seven children.

Russell married twice (Patrica Bryant, 1967 to 1972), and to his eternal companion, Debra Scharninghausen, on June 9, 1973.

Russ loved being a mechanic. Over his career he was self-employed, worked at Libby’s Cannery, Mt. Konocti Growers, Homestake Mining Co. and retired from Berberian Nut Co.

He loved cars. He built a 1970 Plymouth Duster to drag race, worked on friend’s race cars and restored a 1940 Chevy Coupe.

Russ was involved in the Boy Scouts of America and was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Russ is survived by his wife, Debra; his daughters, Tammy (John), April (Steve), Tracy (Edward) and Kristen (Richard); his 11 grandchildren; and seven great-granddaughters.

A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 29, at the Gridley-Biggs Cemetery in Gridley, California.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 30, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Lakeport.

Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com.

: Elizabeth Larson; Posted On Thursday, 29 February 2024 02:55; 29 February 2024

Wilbur R. Facey

LAKEPORT, Calif. — Wilbur R. Facey, 96, of Lakeport passed away peacefully on Feb. 24, 2024.

Will was born in Etna, California, on Dec. 12, 1928, to Festus and May Facey and is survived by his wife Shirley, son Richard (Karen), granddaughter Ariel and brother Lyle.

Will served in the Navy during World War II and attended Chico State University where he was a Gold Glove boxer.

He moved his family to Lakeport in 1965 from Fort Jones, California, to teach physical education at Terrace Middle School.

Will coached multiple sports teams at Terrace and girls basketball at Clear Lake High School for years even after his retirement from teaching. Will started the PeeWee Basketball Leagues in 1973, which boys and girls still enjoy.

He enjoyed hunting and fishing with friends and family and was known for pitching a few horseshoes, including participating in World Championship Tournaments.

Wilbur opened many doors for students to pursue their dreams, and he will be truly missed.

A celebration of life will be held at the Lakeport Senior Center, 527 Konocti Ave., at 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 9.

In honor of his memory, please consider donations to the Kyle Reynolds Memorial Scholarship Fund at Clear Lake High School, 350 Lange St. Lakeport, CA 95453; checks payable to Kyle Reynolds Memorial Scholarship.

: Elizabeth Larson; Posted On Tuesday, 27 February 2024 01:02; 27 February 2024

Marilyn Gene Hanson

**Marilyn Hanson aboard one of her horses. Courtesy photo.**

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. — Marilyn Hanson passed away in Kelseyville on Feb. 22 at the age of 74. She was born in Lake County on May 15, 1949 where she grew up and went to Kelseyville schools.

Marilyn was a long time participant and leader in 4-H, raising steers to sell at the 4-H auction at the Lake County Fair.

She was a long time member and leader in the Lake County Junior Horsemen. She loved horses and was an accomplished rider. She competed in horse shows and fairs throughout Northern California, eventually accumulating more than 250 ribbons, 81 trophies and several belt buckles.

In 1965 Marilyn was chosen Lake County Rodeo Queen. She had two appearances at the Cow Palace in San Francisco both times being the runner-up for Cow Palace Queen. On July 2, 1967, she entered and won the annual Miss Lake County Pageant. A short time later on July 20, 1967, she represented Lake County in the California Rodeo in Salinas, winning that title as well.

As an adult Marilyn was a long time and active member of the Clearlake Senior Horsemen, serving as an officer and participating in many events. She worked at several occupations.

She co-owned a consulting business, Environmental Systems and Services. And for several years Marilyn worked at Homestake Gold Mine driving one of the huge dump trucks.

Marilyn is survived by her two sons, three grandchildren and her brother.

Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com.

: Elizabeth Larson; Posted On Thursday, 29 February 2024 23:24; 11 March 2024

Delbert Lee Thomas Sr.

Delbert Lee Thomas Sr.
Dec. 9, 1939 — Feb. 25, 2024

Delbert Lee Thomas Sr., 84, of Clearlake Oaks, California, passed away on Feb. 25, 2024, in Santa Rosa, California.

Delbert was born on the Elem Indian Colony in Clearlake Oaks and attended Lower Lake High School. He later relocated to the Bay Area, where he attended Contra Costa College.

He returned to live in the Clearlake Oaks and Spring Valley area. He was living in Santa Rosa prior to his passing.

Delbert dedicated 33 years of his life as a lineman for Pacific Gas and Electric, building towers and climbing poles before the use of bucket trucks. He was a cultural and religious expert within his community, serving as the captain of the Elem Roundhouse since he was 19 years old.

Delbert was a committed guardian of traditional and religious life ways, he was a beautiful singer and dancer. He found great joy in harvesting abalone, seaweed and acorns along the northern Mendocino County coast.

Delbert was a devoted fan of the San Francisco 49ers, San Francisco Giants and Golden State Warriors. He cherished spending time camping along the coast and indulging in traditional Native foods. Delbert's presence will be deeply missed by his loving family and many friends.

He is survived by his wife, Lori Laiwa Thomas; his sister, Loretta Kelsey; his sister, Alice Audrey Arroyo; his daughter, Julie Plevney, daughter Sandra, son Lyle, son Daryl, son Gary and daughter Rhoda, including stepchildren Marcus Meloy and Sheila Castillo.

His large extended family includes 27 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. He had numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

Delbert was preceded in death by his mother, Caroline Williams; his father, Cecil Thomas; uncle, John Kelsey; aunt, Effie Kelsey; his former wife, Betty Thomas; his sister, Alice Audrey Arroyo; his son, Joe Thomas; and his son, Delbert Lee Thomas Jr.

In accordance with Delbert's final wishes, there will be no funeral service or burial. Instead, his ashes will be spread at sea and his dinner will be held at Abalone Point, Mendocino County coast on March 24 at 1 p.m.

His family wishes to thank the following Tribes for assisting with financial donations: Colusa Indian Community, Elem Indian Colony, Hopland Pomo Nation, Sherwood Pomo Nation, Big Valley Pomo Nation and Cahto Tribe of Laytonville.

The Eggen & Lance Mortuary in Santa Rosa is assisting the family with the arrangements.

: Elizabeth Larson; Posted On Tuesday, 27 February 2024 01:21; 27 February 2024

Ruth Darling

In Loving Memory
Ruth Darling
Wife, Mother, Nonni, Sister and Friend
Jan. 15, 1957 — Feb. 10, 2024

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Ruth Darling passed away on Feb. 10, 2024.

She lived her life with joy and very rare were the days that she didn’t laugh and count her blessings.

She had battled cancer for the last months of her life but never complained and still was the heart of her family, finding joy in her marriage and being a loving mother and grandmother.

Ruth Nelson was born to Vivian and Jack Nelson in Winnemucca, Nevada in 1957. She never forgave her parents for not making it to Reno for her birth!

Ruth attended multiple schools before finally settling in Grass Valley, California, and finishing grammar school.

Ruth attended Nevada Union High School where she met the love of her life, Dennis Darling. From the time that they met in the grocery aisles of Shop N’ Save they were inseparable for the next 53 years.

Ruth received her greatest pleasure in the company of her family. She hosted family dinners on a regular basis and loved the cacophony of children playing and adults sharing their lives. Thanksgiving, Christmas and birthdays were always loud and celebrated with all the family.

She loved her daughters and relished their calls that kept her updated on their lives. She loved all her grandchildren and spent many happy hours sharing their lives, always passing on a life lesson. Her fondest memories were of family cruises, family trips to Hawaii, Disneyland and wherever family was nearby.

Ruth was very involved in the Lake County community. She worked in the family grocery business starting in 1983 and retired only a month before her passing.

She had served on the Lakeport schools site council, PTO and was involved in her daughter’s sports and fine arts.

Ruth supported many local charities with her time and donations, but when she joined the Lakeport Rotary Club, she really found her passion. She loved working on the Konocti Challenge bike race, the community Easter egg hunt, community service projects and hosting foreign exchange students. She served as club president and secretary and loved the local and international community service that Rotary provided.

Ruth loved her home and never tired of the beautiful sunrise over Clear Lake. She was at peace there and commented many times that she had found her paradise right here in Lake County.

She also loved to travel and had been all over the world and to all 50 states. Ruth loved experiencing new places and meeting new people, always with a smile. She truly believed that travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow mindedness and that only through learning about other people can we understand the world.

Ruth approached each day with enthusiasm and curiosity, finding joy in simple pleasures and expressing gratitude for life.

Her attitude was contagious, inspiring those around her to appreciate their own experiences. Ruth embodied the spirit of a life well lived and will be missed by all who she touched.

Ruth was predeceased by her mother, Vivian, and her father, Jack, and sister Lennis.

She is survived by her husband, Dennis; daughter Amber (Victor) Talmage; grandsons, Devon Talmage, Blake Talmage and Braxton Talmage; granddaughters, Chelsea Cook, Madison Boyer and Hope Cook; great granddaughter, Wrenley Floro; daughter, Kori (Andrew) Pierson; grandsons, Quinn Pierson, Jacob Pierson and Ben Pierson; and sister; Dawn (Jim) Hodge.

In addition, she leaves behind numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

It isn’t when we were born or when we died that matters, it is the time in between and how we lived and loved.

Ruth lived everyday with joy and gave her love unconditionally.

: Elizabeth Larson; Posted On Saturday, 24 February 2024 00:04; 24 February 2024

Martha E. Morinda

Martha E. Morinda
Aug. 10, 1952 — Feb. 18, 2024

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — In loving memory of Martha E. Morinda, 71 years old, she was a member of the Elem Indian Colony.

Martha is predeceased by Godfrey SR (her baby Daddy); son, Lawerence Jr.; siblings, Barbara and Mayfield. She leaves behind her sisters, Bonnie, Pam, and Brenda; children, Adrian, Ko-e-ya, Houghton Sr., Nellie, Coletta, and Elton; grandchildren, Xae-li, Moe, Vanessa, Isa, Lil Adrian, Jordan, Mya, Jazzmyne, Damien, Houghton Jr., Laylah, Nations, Giancarlo, Pebbz, and Bibbz; great grandchildren, Jermaine, Lyda, Lejen, Adrian III and one on the way.

Martha was a hard working home-maker.

We will be bringing her home to Elem Indian Colony Reservation for traditional visitation starting on Friday, March 1, at 11 a.m. and continuing until her burial on Monday, March 4, at 11 a.m.

She will be greatly missed by all and may she rest in peace.

Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com.

Obits

Russell Richard Dover

Wilbur R. Facey

Marilyn Gene Hanson

Delbert Lee Thomas Sr.

Ruth Darling

Martha E. Morinda

Upcoming Calendar

Mini Calendar

LCNews

Newsletter

Search