LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Robert “Steve” Stephens, born October 5, 1935, passed away peacefully Jan. 25, 2014.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 30 years, Jeanette and his children, Kimberly, Jeffery and Lisa.

Steve was a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and a career carpenter.

May the Lord smile upon you, Steve.

Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, Lakeport.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Edith Colleen Neal Klier passed from this earth Jan. 23, 2014, at the age of 88.

She was born to Walter Washington Neal and Zee Wilson Neal of Nail, Ark., on Jan. 22, 1926, in West Portal, Colo.

She spent her childhood around large construction sites where her father worked as a high explosives expert until the Great Depression ended most large construction.

Her parents divorced and she and her father spent the war years working in the Bremerton Navy Yards. Her mother remarried and moved to Kelseyville and she followed after the war.

She ran the switchboard for Bell Telephone at the Kelseyville office, and picked pears along with her stepfather, Jesse C. Casey for Martin Klier on the side.

She married Martin Klier in October of 1948. Together they had four sons, Martin N. (Pamela) Klier, Walter A. ( Diane) Klier, both deceased, and John C. Klier and Richard C. (Deanna) Klier. Her husband Martin passed in December of 1989.

Edith spent the rest of her life on the ranch she and Martin bought in Scotts Valley.

Over the years she worked in Thorpe's nursing home, the Lake County Justice Court, Lakeside Hospital and Crawford, Major and Kranz, attorneys at law. She joined the Seventh Day Adventist Church in 1954 and remained a member throughout her life.

She leaves behind four grandchildren, Christian Klier, Nathan Klier, Leanne Klier, and Ian Klier; four great-grandchildren, Paris, and Portia Klier, Avery Thurman and Lily Klier; and her stepsister, Pearl Divine of Red Bluff.

No funeral services are planned. A celebration of her life will be announced at a later date.

The family prefers donations to either the Lakeport Fire Department at 445 N. Main St. Lakeport, CA 95453, or Hospice of Lake County at 1717 S. Main St., Lakeport, CA 95453.

For further information call Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com .

LUCERNE, Calif. – Melvin Eugene Dworak III unexpectedly passed from this worldly life and flew through the skies into heaven Jan. 21, 2014.

He was a caring, supportive and gentle soul who loved life and all its adventures. He always tried to make others smile through his acts of kindness.

His passions in life were spending time with family and friends, time at the beach, riding dirt bikes, driving and exploring back roads to see all that nature had to offer.

He touched the lives of all he met and will be remembered as a loving father, son, brother, fiancé, nephew, cousin and trusted friend.

He will be greatly missed by his daughter, Calli Marie Dworak; father, Melvin E. Dworak Jr.; sister, Samantha; brother, Stephen; kindred spirit and soul brother, Bobby Ramirez; grandmothers, Marjorie Dworak and Jean Blackburn; aunts and uncles, Donna (Steve) Woods, Michelle McMaster, Doug Dworak, Joe (Lisa) Stetson, Jana Quintana, Valerie, Veronica, Jim and Jerald Blackburn; the love of his life and fiancé, Jamie Shine; and numerous generations of aunts, uncles and cousins.

He is preceded in death by his loving mom, Shannon (Sam) Jean Dworak.

Anyone wishing to help with the funeral expenses can go to www.gofundme.com and click on Melvin Dworak III.

The family would like to thank everyone for the love, support and compassion shown at this difficult time.

Dearest Mel, we will forever hold you in our hearts.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Jess Willard, 98, passed away on Jan. 22, 2014.

Born to Martha and James Willard on November 10, 1915 in Bray, Oklahoma, Jess grew up with seven siblings.

He is survived by his three children: Mary Louise, Richard and Ken. Jess also is survived by brother, Horace; five grandchildren; eight great grandchildren, with one more due in April; and five great-great-grandchildren. Jess survived three wives, including Ruby of a 60-year marriage.

Jess worked in agriculture most of his life, beginning on the family’s broom corn and cotton farm in Oklahoma. He worked the Oklahoma oil fields before moving to California in 1937. During World War II, Jess helped construct Fort Ord, Camp Hunter Liggett and Camp Roberts.

In both San Martin and Atwater, Calif., Jess and Ruby owned and operated the Jess Willard Dairy. He was founding director of the Western Dairymen Cooperative, received five "Best Producing Herd" awards, and was a member of the California Milk Advisory Board for 30 years.

As a lifetime member of the North American Sheepdog Society, Jess bred and raised border collies that achieved both California and national championship status.

Upon retiring, Jess and Ruby moved to Oregon to assist on son Ken’s ranch, raising Dorper sheep and hay.

He spent his last five years in California, living in Clearlake Oaks, sharing food, telling stories, and passing time with new and old friends, as well as family.

Memorial services are scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 8, at 1 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, 12821 First St., Clearlake Oaks.

Hugh Gruwell Jones, 72, died after a courageous battle with cancer on Jan. 18, 2014.

Hugh and his family moved from Hawaii to Scotts Valley in Lake County, Calif., when he was a young child. In Lake County his parents managed the Jones family farm, which the family had homesteaded in the 1800s. Hugh retained wonderful lifetime memories and connections to Lake County.

As an adult, his first vocation, agriculture, led him to world travel and the Middle East as a Peace Corps volunteer. Later, he continued his commitment to helping others as a licensed clinical social worker.

He leaves behind his wife of 37 years, Maryann; his son, Evan; and stepdaughter Terri Dalton-Colley.

Locally he is survived by his brother Kit Jones and wife Ginny, and sister-in-law Polly Falco and her husband David.

A memorial celebrating his life will be held in Fresno on April 26, a date of special significance to him.

Diane May Colbrandt, age 80, passed away in Santa Rosa, Calif., on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2014.

A native of San Leandro, she was a homemaker. She was a member of the Park Study Club, and a past member of the Newcomers Club & Civic Club. Along with other community leaders, Diane was instrumental in the establishment of drug free zones around the schools and parks in Clearlake.

Diane is preceded in death by her husband of 51 years, Irwin T. Colbrandt. She is survived by her children, Irwin Todd Colbrandt Jr. and Conrad D. Colbrandt, both of Clearlake, Linda D. Meyer and husband Mark of San Ramon, Anne Marie Serrao and husband Bill of Elk Grove and a sister Eva Ruth of El Dorado Hills.

She also is survived by her grandchildren Matthew, Nicole, Christopher and Hailey Meyer, Bryan and Tyler Serrao, nieces and nephews Michael O’Connor, Patty Barnes, Theresa Nelms, Tim O’Connor, William Davi, Angela Annis, Charlie Ruth, Monica Mackey and many great nieces and nephews. She also is the sister-in-law to Victor and Tinka Davi, Fred Ruth and Dorothy O’Connor.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, Jan. 30, at Jones & Lewis Clear Lake Memorial Chapel in Lower Lake from 4 to 7 p.m.

A Catholic funeral service will be held on Friday, Jan. 31, beginning at 10:30 a.m. at Jones & Lewis Clear Lake Memorial Chapel. Burial will follow at Lower Lake Cemetery.

Diane’s family would appreciate memorial donations to Park Study Club (dedicated to community service), P.O. Box 272, Clearlake Park, CA 95424.

Please sign Diane’s online guestbook at www.jonesandlewis.com or www.legacy.com .