LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – “Rob Neal” was born March 22, 1948, in Lakeport, Calif., and died May 6, 2014, at the age of 66 in Clearlake, Calif.

He was the son of Charles E. Neal and Virginia M. (Hook) Neal, and a fifth generation Kelseyville farming family member descending from the Merritt family of Kelseyville.

He was active in the Boy Scouts and earned the rank of Eagle Scout under the direction of his uncle Don Hook.

Rob attended Kelseyville schools and graduated in 1966 before attending Santa Rosa Junior College. He enlisted in the Army and did a tour of Vietnam where he was twice wounded and received the Bronze Star.

He loved Lake County and enjoyed fishing and hunting as a boy with friends and family. He always loved the area and only spent a small amount of time away from Big Valley.

He married Susan Thalgot of Idaho and is survived by his daughter, Elizabeth M. Krupka, and son-in-law Clint Krupka, and two granddaughters, Catherine and Emily currently of Las Vegas.

He also is survived by his sister Kathy Neal and her partner Pat Griffin of Belchertown, Massachusetts.

Rob had several first cousins in Kelseyville who were also close growing up and in the Kelseyville schools at the same time. They are Connie (Hook) Burnes, Jerry and Karen Hook, Ken and Pam Hook, John and Molly Deacon, Clyde and Jane Deacon, and Anne (Deacon) and Mark Munsey.

Other first cousins are Katherine “Kitty” (Neal) Dunlop of Georgia, Clayton Neal of Virginia, Steven Neal of Colorado and Daniel Neal of Morgan Hill.

His last days before finding peace from cancer and addictions were spent at Meadowood Nursing Home in Clearlake where he was given excellent care both physically and emotionally. The family thanks the caregivers.

There will be no memorial service. Anyone wishing to give can donate to Hospice Services of Lake County.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Eilene Engle was born in Columbia Falls, Montana, on Dec. 2, 1928. She peacefully went to be with her Lord May 1, 2014.

Eilene graduated from Upland College in Southern California. The family moved to Kelseyville in 1962, where she went to work as a teacher in the Lakeport Unified School District for nearly 30 years. She truly believed "children are a gift of the Lord." (Psalms 127:3)

After retirement she enjoyed spending time with her beloved family and working at the Methodist Thrift Shop with her friends.

Eilene is survived by her brother, Dell (Beulah) Kaufman; children, Diana (Richard) Johnson of Kelseyville, Gary (Barb) Engle of Fair Oaks and Michael Engle of Kelseyville; four grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Her family thanks Hospice for the wonderful care they provided during her illness. They also thank their dear friends and family for their care and support.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, May 16, at the Kelseyville Methodist Church, First and Main streets, Kelseyville.

For those who wish to make donations, the family recommends People Services, 870 11th St., Lakeport, CA 95453, or a charity of your choice.

For further information call Chapel of the Lakes (FD1336) at 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit the mortuary online at http://chapelofthelakes.sharepoint.com/Pages/default.aspx .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Elwin “Dean” Hyder passed peacefully Monday, May 5, at the age of 87.

Dean was born to the late Ira and Nancy Hyder in Delta, Utah.

Dean's family located to Lakeport before World War II where his mother Nancy owned the Bonnie Brae Restaurant.

Dean went into the Army in 1944 as part of the 32 Infantry Division. He took part in the liberation of the Philippine Islands during World War II.

After Japan surrendered he was stationed near Kokura as part of the US occupation forces. Dean proudly served his country until 1947 where he was honorably discharged at Ft. Lewis, Wash.

Dean returned to Lakeport where he met and married Geraldine Giles and had two children. Dean relocated his family to Sonoma.

Dean became a heavy equipment operator and was a proud member of the Operating Engineers Local 3 for over 65 years.

During his career he worked on many major civil projects helping shape the modern network of highways and reservoirs that serve the people of California until he retired in 1988.

Dean loved to garden and travel, he and Gerry traveled all over the country in their motor home before relocating back to Lakeport in 2002. He was also a member of the Free Masons.

Dean is survived by his two children, Clifton Hyder of Collierville, Tenn., and Jacalyn Noe of Aurora, Colo.; two sisters, Colleen Caldas and Joanne Hage, both of Ukiah; six grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

The family prefers donations be made to Hospice Services of Lake County or Wounded Warrior Project.

Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 10, at Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 1625 N. High St., Lakeport.

For further information call Chapel of the Lakes (FD1336) at 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit the mortuary online at http://chapelofthelakes.sharepoint.com/Pages/default.aspx .

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Friends and relatives are invited to a celebration of life for Gayle Whitehead at 1 p.m. Saturday, May 17.

The event will be held at the Lakeport Yacht Club, 15 5th St.

Whitehead passed away Dec. 12, 2013.

For further information call Chapel of the Lakes (FD1336) at 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit the mortuary online at http://chapelofthelakes.sharepoint.com/Pages/default.aspx .

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Camilo “Rocky” Roxson, beloved father, brother, grandfather and friend, died in Santa Rosa May 2, 2014.

Born in Exeter, Calif., he was the son of George John Roxson and Isidra Josefina Roxson (Orduno).

Rocky graduated from Upper Lake High School and Santa Rosa Junior College.  

A veteran of World War II, he worked as a foreman in the saw mills of Northern California before finding his true calling as a police officer in both Los Angeles and Sonoma counties.

Rising to the rank of captain with the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office, he oversaw the jail division with characteristic integrity, commitment and determination. Later, in 1975 he graduated from the 101st session of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Va.

Rock's passion for justice was equaled by his love for family, loyalty to friends and appreciation for the land.

His family will always cherish the many happy hours they shared at “the ranch” in Bachelor Valley.

Never losing his zest for life, Rocky found true happiness with his beloved “Darlin',” Jewel Wymer.

He was preceded in death by his siblings, Fred, Frieda and Bea.

Rocky is survived by brothers, Gene and George; sister, Maria; his Darlin', Jewel Wymer and her extended family; step-daughter, Brenda Pappan; daughter, Susan Roxson (Barry Noble); grandson, Zack; and granddaughter, Haley; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 13, at Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, Lakeport. Burial at Upper Lake Cemetery will follow.

For further information call Chapel of the Lakes (FD1336) at 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit the mortuary online at http://chapelofthelakes.sharepoint.com/Pages/default.aspx .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Benhart Andrew Kivilahti was born on Jan. 30, 1937. Better known as “Papa” to many, he passed away on April 24, 2014, in the comfort of his own home with many of his beloved family members at his side.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Andrew and Hilma Kivilahti; sister, Helen Dresher; and grandson, Mark Kivilahti.

He is survived by his loving wife of 59 years, Nancy Kivilahti; as well as his four daughters, Jane Valk, Barbara (Dave) Harrell, Lori Kelleher, and Cathy (Jeff) Balich; his grandchildren, Gina Price, Jason Ferrario, Kevin (Anki) Mihovich, Patrick, Chris and Ashley Kelleher, Caitlyn and Kylie Balich; his great-grandchildren, Austin Kivilahti, Sophia and Charlotte Price, Sydney and Tyler Kelleher; his siblings, Wilbert Ranta and Thelma Heckila; and numerous nieces and nephews.  

He was a young man at heart, who was forever tinkering and keeping busy with his hobbies. He retired from Penske after 25 years of service as a skilled mechanic, and his love for cars never subsided.

Even after retirement he remained the mechanic for his family. They jokingly recount how he could easily diagnose a car problem with just a mimicked sound of the problem.

Originally from Biwabik, Minnesota, he spent 28 years in Spring Valley, Calif., in a home he built from the ground up with his family. Here he enjoyed his gardening, the daily “funny” paper, crosswords, westerns, and was a diehard San Francisco Forty Niners and Giants fan who never missed a game, and often watched them with his grandchildren and daughters.

While he was a man of few words, he was a genuine, caring, patient man who supported the many people in his life wholeheartedly. He was the handyman for his home, and that of his daughter Lori. Without request, he maintained both daily.

He was a huge support system in the lives of many, and was a strong father figure to his grandchildren who have many cherished memories of tree forts and toys he built, as well as the passing on of his many skills to them. They all lovingly refer to him as “Papa.”

Benhart “Papa” Kivilahti will be missed by many. You are welcome to join his family and friends at his memorial service at Jones & Lewis Clearlake Memorial Chapel at 16140 Main St., Lower Lake, on Saturday, May 17, at 2 p.m.

Please sign Benhart’s online guest book at www.jonesandlewis.com .