CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Robert Heath Cotton Sr., frequently referred to as “Bob” by many friends and family passed away in Clearlake at age 69.

Bob was born on Feb. 25, 1945, in San Diego, Calif., to Russell and Maxine (Morgan) Cotton.

He would have turned 70 just 10 days later on Feb. 25. Instead he was suddenly taken from us all on February 15, 2015. His passing is a shock to family and friends.

Bob left behind eight children (from oldest to youngest), Tanya Mahlen, A. Laura Matthias, John Christopher, Heather Marie, Robert Cotton Jr., Carina Cotton, Kirsten Dellinger and Matthew Cotton; 12 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

Bob served his country in the U.S. Army until he was discharged with full honors in late 1963.

During his service, he earned his marksmanship badge. As a skilled marksman, he was able to pass his unique skills down to his oldest two children, Tanya and Laura, one of whom passed her skills down to her children.

Bob lived his life to its fullest throughout his different career paths which took him from California to Washington and back to California. He had the ability to change careers if he was bored or tired of doing the same thing day in and day out.

One employer he really enjoyed working for was a local favorite, Epidendio Construction in Clearlake. He worked there as a truck driver for five years.

He also had a notable career working as a cook and a restaurant manager/manager trainer for Denny's Restaurant. He absolutely loved to cook, and passed those skills on to his daughters Tanya and Carina. He even patented his own barbecue sauce known by family as Bobaloo’s BBQ sauce.

As Bob settled into retirement, he chose to live out his senior days sipping coffee and smoking cigarettes and talking with his best friend Paul.

Through the last five years he enjoyed living with his son Robert Jr. and his wife and kids, and spent his final year living with his daughter Carina and her husband and kids.

Among different careers, he had many hobbies. One of which was rock collecting. His son Robert can tell you many stories about those rocks.

He would talk often about every one of his children to anyone who would listen. He would keep pictures of those that he didn't get to see often in his personal folder. Although he didn't get to talk to all of his children very often, he loved each and every one of them and never forgot them.

Bob will be missed by many, but he will be especially missed by his children.

A memorial service will be held for Bob at Jones & Lewis Mortuary located at 16140 Main St. in Lower Lake at 1 p.m. Tuesday, March, 17.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the family on the Go Fund me account at www.gofundme.com/bobcottonfuneral .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Helaine (Fritch) Downhour entered peacefully into rest Dec. 19, 2014.

She was born in 1930 in Big Valley and worked as a telephone operator in Lake County's first telephone system. 

Helaine married Robert Downhour in December of 1953. They made their home in Lakeport, and were blessed with two children, Stephen and Linda.

Bob and Helaine enjoyed traveling the California coastline into Oregon to visit friends and family (cousins, Donna Lee and Eloise). 

They made many friends during their travels, and often met spontaneously over a prime fishing hole or a favorite camping spot. 

Many have fond memories of their humor and generosity with their catch of the day, Helaine's cooking and their stories.

Later in life they enjoyed shorter travels with three grandchildren, Amanda, Jim and Michael.

She joins many in Heaven, including her beloved husband, Robert Downhour; brothers, Ken, Gene and Les; and her son, Stephen Downhour.

She is missed by her family, which includes her daughter, Linda Norton; daughter-in-law, Annie Downhour; cousins, Donna Lee and and Eloise; sister-in-law, Veva Fritch; and grandchildren, Amanda Johnson (John W.), Jim Parlet II and Michael Downhour; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

A private gathering in remembrance of Helaine will be arranged at a later date.

Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, Lakeport.

Manuel Guzman
March 5, 1936 – Feb. 8, 2015

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Manuel Guzman, age 78, a longtime Kelseyville resident, died on Feb. 8, 2015.

Manuel is survived by his wife, Cruz; five children, Yolanda (Juan) Rosas, Rosio (Jesse) Santana, Maria Guzman, Susy Guzman and Eddie Guzman; three grandchildren, John Rosas, and Joey and Monique Santana.

The family thanks everyone for their support during this difficult time.

His family will be honoring his request for private services.

Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, Lakeport.

Susan Mozelle Reesor McCamish-Wemple

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Zella was born Susan Mozelle Reesor April 7, 1929, in Indianapolis, Ind., in the midst of the depression along with seven brothers.

Her father died of tuberculosis when she was 7 years old, forcing their family to return to their hometown of Elizabethtown, Kentucky where she was raised on a farm in financially difficult times.

Her family lived in proximity to another poor farming family, the McCamish family, into which she eventually married. She was married at 16 years of age to Joseph A. McCamish after he returned as a war hero in 1945. Interestingly, two of her brothers married two of Joseph’s sisters so there were three marriages within these two families.

Zella and Joseph had four children (Linda, Joseph E, Margaret, and Mark) and lived in Kentucky, Arizona and California over their 50-year marriage.

Zella was a very young mother with her four children being born prior to 22 years of age. As her children grew she became involved in tennis and developed into one of the best women amateurs in all of Santa Barbara County.

She also was employed at Righetti High School in the nursing office for two decades where she contributed to the health and the spirit of Righetti students.

Joseph and Zella were passionate about providing for their children and giving them every opportunity to have a better life than they did, particularly growing up in the Depression era.

Both she and Joseph retired to Joshua Tree, Calif., and then relocated to Kelseyville, Calif., in the early 1990s.

After 50 years of marriage and Joseph’s death, she remarried in October 1998 to Joseph Jay Wemple to whom she was happily married for 16 years. Through this second marriage, Zella added Jay’s children, Alan and Cris, to her extended family.

Jay and Zella were able to travel abroad on several occasions, share a delightful companionship and enjoy their respective families.

Zella is the matriarch of her family, representing five generations. She is survived by four children, 12 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.

She was a compassionate mother who gave everything and asked for nothing. She treated everyone like they were the most important person in the world and only asked that you be better for yourself. 

Her dedicated life is summed up in the words of the song titled “A Mother’s Prayer” by Keith and Kristyn Getty, which will be played at her memorial service:
“Before you close your eyes to sleep I have a promise still to keep as I hold you in my arms. I pray your little frame grows strong and that faith takes hold while you are young; this is my prayer for you.

“Hold my hand; I’ll teach you the way to go. Through the joys, through the tears, the journey of these years, He is with us ‘til the end. He is faithful ‘til the end.

“The world is not as it should be, but the Savior opens eyes to see all that’s beautiful and true. Oh may His light fill all you are and the jewel of wisdom crown your heart; this is my prayer for you.

“Hold my hand; I’ll teach you the way to go. Through the joys, through the tears, the journey of these years, He is with us ‘til the end. He is faithful ‘til the end.

“You’ll travel where my arms won’t reach, as the road will rise to lead your feet on a journey of your own. May my mistakes not hinder you, but His grace remain and guide you through; this is my prayer for you.

Take His hand and go where He calls you to. And whatever comes, seek Him with all your heart; this will be my prayer for you. Father, hear my ceaseless prayer, oh keep them in your care.”

Our mother had an infectious smile, was very competitive, loved to play cards and board games with her family and travel to see the world.

She created an environment where one could flourish and where one was always loved and welcomed.

She will be profoundly missed, yet we rejoice in her long and impactful life and have assurance that she resides with the Lord where we have the chance to be reunited with her in His glory.

Visitation is scheduled from 8:30 to 10 a.m. with reflections and rosary service at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, at Chapel of The Lakes Mortuary, 1625 N. High St., Lakeport.

A funeral Mass will be held the same day at 11:30 a.m. at Saint Peter’s Catholic Church, 4085 Main St. in Kelseyville. Interment will occur Monday, March 2, at Kelseyville Cemetery, 3375 Bell Hill Road.

Family prefers donations to Hospices Services of Lake County, 1862 Parallel Drive, Lakeport, CA 95453 (telephone 707-263-6222) or The Women’s and Men’s Club of St Peter’s Mission, 4085 Main St., Kelseyville, CA 95451 (telephone 707-263-4401).

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Lila Jean Bennett was the firstborn child of proud parents Alexander and Katherine Newfield in Los Angeles, Calif., born on Oct. 2, 1926.

Her mother Katherine always claimed that Lila was their “love child” and a wonderful daughter.

In the early 1920s her father and uncle started a plastering business in Los Angeles, “The Newfield Bros.” It became the largest plastering business in the 1940s, and she worked there as the bookkeeper.

In 1947 she received a pilot’s license. Shortly after, she met, fell in love and married Newfield Bros.' handsome new employee, Evan Bennett, on Nov. 12, 1948.

They began to start their own family with the birth of Allen, Daryl and then Mark. In 1959 Lila, husband and family moved to Lake County, Calif., when they bought a beautiful ranch property in Witter Springs.

Prior to moving to Lake County she started studying the Bible with her mother, became baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses and then started sharing her love of Bible truths with others which became a lifelong dedication.

After moving to Lake County she met with the local congregation in a small building in Lakeport and continued her lifelong dedication of serving Jehovah God and sharing her Bible knowledge with the community.

Between full-time duties including being a mother, rancher, belonging to a cooperative dairy creamery and bookkeeping for her husband’s plastering business, Lila gave birth to daughter Gail.

Along with all her responsibilities she always loved to grow a large garden which included canning or preserving the fruits and vegetables she harvested.

For many years she belonged to a “gleaning club” where she would go into orchards after harvest season and glean fruits and nuts. She was known for always sharing with others the “fruits of her labors,” Bible truths and food from her gleaning and personal garden.

Lila took her responsibilities seriously, including taking care of her loved ones, which included her mother’s elderly sister Aunt Margaret, her father’s elderly brother Uncle Nick and finally her own aging mother Katherine Newfield. These preceded her in death including her father Alexander Newfield, brother, Ronald Newfield and lastly her loving husband, Evan Bennett.

In the last four years, Lila herself suffered from dementia, needing one-on-one care. Luckily, Lila was able to be cared for in the comfort of her own home. Caregivers were the members of loving family, especially, her daughter Gail, son-in-law Dana, Candy, including Hospice Services of Lake County. 

Lila passed comfortably in her sleep on Feb. 16, 2015.

Among those who love her and mourn her passing, Lila leaves behind four children, Allen Bennett, Daryl Bennett, Mark Bennett, Gail Bennett-Wofford; nine grandchildren, Joy Marcks, Marc Bennett, Jennifer Powers, Jenny Bennett, Katie Bennett, Loni Bennett, Jessica Wofford, Hannah Wofford, Evan Wofford; four great-grandchildren, Vance Driskell, Nya Marcks, Leyla Marcks and an expected baby in August 2015; and many nieces and nephews.

Lila’s family and friends has an extraordinary example of a proverbial “capable wife” and a mother whose unconditional love has made a name that is “better than good oil.”

Memorial services will be held at Chapel of the Lakes at 1 p.m. Sunday, March 1.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Ralph Roland Lovelace, 80, a resident of Clearlake for 12 years, left us Feb. 16, 2015.

He was Born March 1, 1934, the only child of Otto and Edna Lovelace.

Ralph grew up a farm boy in Kentucky. After graduating high school, he joined the Navy where he operated radar in planes during the Korean War.

Ralph worked for IBM for many years when computers were in their infancy. He then went into business for himself and owned three Computerland Stores in the Sacramento area.

He gave up the fast lane for the Peace Corps, serving in Africa for five years, working hard to bring a supply of fresh water to tribes in Nairobi.

There he learned that it is possible to live simply with few things and from then on chose to live humbly and concentrate on helping others wherever he could.

He gave to several nonprofit charities, enjoyed playing Santa at Christmas for underprivileged kids and contributed many hours to “Meals-on-Wheels.” He was often seen running his daily errands in the white golf cart “Pope Mobile.”

Ralph was well-read, preferred only intelligent conversation and education wherever he could find it and was generous in his support of higher learning for his grandchildren.

He enjoyed playing pinochle with his friends at the Clearlake Senior Center. He was a good man, touched many lives and contributed much to the world during his life.

He was much loved by his family and will be missed very much.

He is survived by his first wife, Sidney Bertain Ryder (widow of Hal Ryder, former resident of Clearlake); son, Gary Lovelace and his wife Leota of McKinleyville, Calif.; daughter, Patti and her husband Jeff Smith of Granite Bay, Calif.; and son, Darin Lovelace of Clearlake.

Ralph also is survived by his five grandchildren: Joshua Lovelace, graduate of UC Davis, residing in McKinleyville; Levi Smith currently attending BYU in Utah; Emily Smith, currently attending American River College and her husband Archie Rabasto of Natomas, Calif; Ashley Lovelace, currently attending College of the Redwoods; and Jordin Lovelace, age 12.

Until we all get home, Dad, we know you will keep the porch light on for us. We will miss you every day.

If you would like to donate to a charity in his memory, please give to Sierra Club, Amnesty International, Nature Conservancy, or some environmental, nonprofit organization.