Lake County News,California

Obits

: Elizabeth Larson; Posted On Friday, 16 August 2019 23:18; 16 August 2019

Janice Rae Rinehart

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Janice Rae Rinehart, born in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Nov. 17, 1933, passed away in Lakeport on Aug. 8, 2019.

Janice was a teenage beauty queen who participated in numerous parades and was crowned "Miss Moto" in 1952.

She met her husband "Butch" in Avalon, Catalina Island, where they raised their three kids.

They moved to Lakeport in 1988 where Janice continued to be an accomplished artist. She taught pottery and other classes for many years in Lakeport.

Janice was a kind, loving woman who will be greatly missed by her family.

She is survived by her husband, Donald "Butch" Rinehart; her son, Ron Rinehart of Hawaii; and grandchildren, James and Nevaeh Peters of Lakeport, Kali and Cole David, and Erin and Brett Rinehart of Southern California.

She was predeceased by her oldest son, Rocky Rinehart, along with her daughter, Roxanne
"Bunny" Rinehart.

Service will be held at a later date on Catalina Island.

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

: Elizabeth Larson; Posted On Friday, 16 August 2019 01:24; 16 August 2019

Karen Reyes Mejia

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Karen Reyes Mejia entered into rest on Aug. 6, 2019.

Karen was a special woman who was always ready to have some fun. She adored her sons and granddaughter and she loved her family, friends and dogs very much. Karen also loved to spend time with her friends and family from her recovery group.

Karen is survived by her sons, Richie Cordova and Sal Mejia; granddaughter, Maribella; siblings, Sonya Pruitt and Henry Reyes; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins who will miss her dearly.

Karen is predeceased by her mother, Lorraine Cruz; life partner, Cruz Mejia; and sons, Jonathan and Steven Mejia.

The family welcomes all friends and family for a traditional viewing starting Saturday, Aug. 17, at 11 a.m. at 1390 Soda Bay Road, Lakeport.

Rosary will take place on Sunday, Aug. 18, at 7 p.m. at the same location.

Graveside service will be held on Monday, Aug. 19, at 11 a.m. at St. Mary's Cemetery, Lakeport.

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

: Elizabeth Larson; Posted On Tuesday, 13 August 2019 02:11; 13 August 2019

Joseph Fossa

Joseph Raymond Fossa
Aug. 28, 1946 - Aug. 1, 2019

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Joseph "Ray" Raymond Fossa was born in Salem, Massachusetts, on Aug. 28, 1946, to Joseph "Bud" Elliot Fossa and Edith "Dee" Marion Fossa.

They moved to San Francisco when Ray was 2 years old to start a better life with his older sister Shirley and younger brother David.

They then moved to Atherton for Ray’s formative years and he attended Encinal Elementary School. The family moved to Cupertino when he was 12, and there he attended junior high and Homestead High School.

**Joseph Fossa and his wife, Kathie. Courtesy photo.**

Upon graduation Ray joined the US Navy in 1965. He served two tours in Vietnam as a Seabee, doing construction and transportation of materials.

Upon his honorable discharge he returned home to Cupertino where he would meet his wife, Kathie.

After their marriage in December of 1971, they moved to the Russian River where he started work as a carpenter at The Geysers geothermal steamfield. His career there brought him in 1979 to Kelseyville, by way of Cloverdale, where he would live out his days.

He rose from being a carpenter to being in charge of the Wildhorse steamfield lease up until its decommissioning in 2001.

**Joseph Fossa and his sons, Jeremiah, Ryan and Dan. Courtesy photo.**

Along the way he volunteered at the South Lake County Fire Protection District for 14 years, led numerous 4-H groups and was always helping his community.

He was a loving husband and father to three very fortunate sons. He is preceded in death by his parents and his brother, David Earl Fossa.

He is survived by his wife, Kathie Fossa; his sons and daughters-in-law, Jeremiah and Amanda Fossa, Danny and Trista Fossa, and Ryan and Promise Fossa; his sister, Shirley Huft; and six grandchildren.

A celebration of life will be held for friends and family at a later date.

: Elizabeth Larson; Posted On Friday, 16 August 2019 23:16; 16 August 2019

Evelyn Ruth Shannon

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Evelyn Ruth Shannon was born 93 years ago in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Oct. 21, 1925, and passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Aug. 3, 2019, in Lakeport, joining her husband Leonard Shannon Sr. and two sons, Leonard Shannon Jr. and James Shannon, in heaven.

Evelyn was raised in a loving family as a middle child with four siblings born to Fredrick and Emma Dietrich (Schmidt).

Evelyn’s family moved to Redwood City, California, in the 1930s.

In 1953, Evelyn met the love of her life, Leonard Shannon Sr. Leonard and Evelyn were married May 29, 1953, and together raised three children, Leonard Shannon Jr., Colleen Shannon (Milani) and James Shannon.

Evelyn was a loving, caring mother and wife. The children that she and Leonard shared were the focus of their lives, and her greatest pleasure was their yearly family camping trip to Yosemite.

Evelyn loved quilting and baking, and she is especially remembered for her famous scones.

Throughout her life, Evelyn had a deep faith in Jesus and she started each day with a prayer from her Unity Daily Word for many years.

In recent years, Evelyn enjoyed the simplicity of relaxing in her daughter’s backyard with family. She volunteered at Sutter Lakeside Hospital and the Lakeport Hospice Thrift Shop and loved meeting with her friends for coffee. Her smile, quick wit and love of life will be missed by all.

Evelyn is survived by her daughter, Colleen Milani, and son-in-law Jim Milani; grandson, Brendan Cooney and his wife Jenny; granddaughters, Sarah Frace (Cooney) and Rachel Milani; great-grandchildren, Emily and Aidan Cooney, and Steven and Andrew Frace, who all lovingly referred to her as Gigi.

A memorial service for Evelyn will be held on Saturday, Aug. 24, at United Christian Parish in Lakeport at 10:30 a.m.

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

: Elizabeth Larson; Posted On Wednesday, 14 August 2019 03:06; 14 August 2019

Wayne E. Nelson

Wayne E. Nelson
Oct. 17, 1939 – Jan. 19, 2019

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – A celebration of the life of Wayne Nelson is set for Saturday, Aug. 17, at 2 p.m. at the Middletown Lions Club, 15399 Central Park Road.

A 1957 graduate of Middletown High School, Wayne returned in the late 1990s as a resident of Cobb, and the owner and barber at the Middletown Barber Shop. He presided over the shop for 12 years, served on the South Lake County Fire Protection District Board in 2009, and was honored that year as the grand marshal in the Middletown Days Parade.

Born in Modesto on Oct. 17, 1939, he passed away last Jan. 19, 2019.

An Air Force medic, he spent his final years at the Veterans Home in Yountville. He was preceded by mother, Alberta (Gifford) Nelson; father, William Nelson; stepmother, Evelyn Nelson; brother, Herb Nelson; and sister-in-law, Karen Nelson.

He leaves daughter, Maggi Nelson; son, Bill Nelson; two grandsons, Waylon and Wyatt; sister, Carolyn; brothers, Bruce Pachie, Larry Menzio and Eric Nelson; a host of nieces and nephews; and former wife, Bonnie Nelson-Key.

In lieu of flowers, his family requests donations be made to Collabria Care, Hospice in Napa www.collabriacare.org.

Please visit his obituary page at Legacy.com.

For further information, contact Bonnie Nelson at 707-805-550-8081 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

: Elizabeth Larson; Posted On Saturday, 10 August 2019 02:21; 10 August 2019

Robert ‘Bob’ Kiesman

Robert "Bob" Kiesman, son of Virgil and Janet Kiesman, was born in Fryeburg, Maine on Jan. 24,1939.

Bob graduated from Fryeburg Academy in 1957 where he was a three letter sports star. He was drafted by the Brooklyn Dodgers after high school and played in their farm system with their Los Angeles team until 1958, when a serious arm injury sidelined his career. Bob then moved the Wakefield, Massachusetts, and worked in the tool and dye industry.

He married Dorothy Winter in 1960 and together they raised a family and in 1977 they decided to move to Sunnyvale, California.

In 1987 Bob met Irene Rivas who would become his life partner. In 1989 he moved to Lakeport, California, and joined Irene in the real estate business. Bob enjoyed being a part of the real estate community. He was recognized as the Affiliate of the Year and played a big role in the canned food drive and the scholarship committee. He was a loan agent up until his retirement.

Bob was an excellent softball player and played senior softball where he pitched the winning game in the first World Series of Softball in Greensboro, North Carolina. He also entertained his family and friends with his wonderful singing voice.

He is survived by his life partner, Irene Rivas; sons, Steven Kiesman (Mary Beth), Chris Kiesman (Jenny), and Rob Winter (Elaine); grandchildren, Amanda , Brian, Angela and Jake Kiesman; great-grandchildren, Alexis, Ava and Bryce; and brother, Kenneth Kiesman (Liz) and family; his extended family, Eric Rivas (Dawnette), Marc Rivas (Gloria) and grandchildren, Marc Daniel, Jacob and Connor Rivas. He also leaves behind his dogs that he loved dearly, Amber, Stevie Ray and Angel.

No services will be held at Bob's request. A memorial will be held in Fryeburg, Maine with his Eastern family and in Lakeport in the fall.

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

Obits

Janice Rae Rinehart

Karen Reyes Mejia

Joseph Fossa

Evelyn Ruth Shannon

Wayne E. Nelson

Robert ‘Bob’ Kiesman

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