Friday, 29 March 2024

Obits

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A life of quiet strength, determination and kindness ended on Dec. 7, 2013, with the death of Terrill (Terry) Casey. She was the eldest child of James Joseph and Virginia (Mangan) Casey of Cleveland, Ohio.

Terry is survived by her sisters, Kathleen (Edward) Knapp, Maureen Davis and Patricia Casey; and brothers, James (Janie) Casey Jr. and Thomas Casey. She will also be missed by her many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Members of her family live in many areas of the country but all remain close, sharing a strong bond of love and commitment to one another.

Terry also leaves a large circle of friends from near and far and from all walks of life who share the same strong principles and especially the passion for life that Terry did. She held them close to her heart and was appreciative of their diversity and compassion.

Terry enjoyed an 18-year teaching career in Connecticut before moving to Lake County, Calif., in 1983. Her abundant energy and considerable skills were then channeled into the 28 year ownership of Highlands Nursery in Clearlake, a life's work both challenging and extremely rewarding.

As time permitted, Terry traveled as far and wide as possible. In her youth, her father’s Army career took the family to Japan and Germany.

In later life, Terry’s love of nature and enthusiasm for “birding” kept her criss-crossing the United States, Canada and Mexico. Always enjoying new experiences, she continued her travels throughout Central America and Africa.

Terry shared every facet of her life with Pat Novotny, her best friend, teammate, soulmate and life partner of 42 years. Pat, along with Terry's beloved family and friends, will continue to miss her and the love and goodness she brought to their lives.

Terry's message to all of us is to be ever mindful that life is fragile. Cherish and hold closely those you love.

At Terry's request, there will be no service. A donation in her memory may be made to Hospice of Lake County.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Daniel Berdechowski passed away on Dec. 26, 2013, after a long illness, surrounded by his loving family.

He is survived by his wife and soulmate, Marilyn; children, Brenda Berdechowski, Paula Munoz, John Berdechoski and their families.

He will be dearly missed.

Cremation arrangements were taken care of by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, Lakeport, telephone 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Burton Wojciechowski, 43, passed away from complications of Type I diabetes.

Born March 25, 1970, he was valedictorian of Middletown High and graduated from Stanford University.

He is survived by his loving family members/

A life celebration will be Sunday, Dec. 29, from 10 a.m. to noon at Sonoma Community Center.

Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary.

helenstarkmanobit

LAKEPORT, Calif. – The greatest lady in the world was called to heaven.

Helen Mae McCreary Starkman, 93, of Lakeport, died at Sutter Medical Center Santa Rosa at 6:50 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, 2013.

Services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 2, at Chapel of the Lakes, 1625 N. High St. in Lakeport.

In honor of Helen the family is asking that donations be made to:

Silent Unity
Unity World Headquarters
1901 NW Blue Parkway
Unity Village, MO 64065
816-524-3550

Born in Tipton, Ind., on Aug. 9, 1920, Helen was the youngest daughter of William and Sarah (Gough) McCreary. She was raised in Tipton and graduated with her registered nursing degree from Saint Vincent’s School of Nursing in Indianapolis, Ind.

God had plans for Helen and her nursing degree. She became the grandest of nurses and brought joy, encouragement and healing to her patients for 47 years.

While working as a nurse in Indiana she met and married Joseph Starkman. Joe was a patient of Helen’s and it was true love.

The couple had one child, a beautiful baby girl named Muriel Ann Starkman, who they raised in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Immediate family include daughter Muriel Ann Starkman Johnson of Lakeport, Calif; granddaughter, Aline Marie Kaprive of San Mateo, Calif; grandson-in-law, John Francis Kaprive; and great-granddaughter, Carly Ann Kaprive of San Mateo.

Precious gems: Helen was a devout woman of God, always kind and gentle, loved her family, brought comfort to her patients and gave people hope, always modeled true and innermost goodness.

When you met Helen she would welcome you and make you feel at ease. She was a bright, shining angel on earth who lit up a room with her smile and presence.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Diane Hempel passed away to be with Jesus Dec. 8, 2013, at the age of 72.

She leaves behind her husband of 54 years, James; three daughters, April, Denise and Kelly; and three grandchildren, Matthew, Cheyenne, and Logan.

She was an active member of First Assembly of God Church, Clearlake.

A memorial will be announced at a later date.

Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, Lakeport.

cliffswetnamobit

Clifton Bradley Swetnam
July 22, 1947 – Dec. 14, 2013

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Cliff Swetnam passed away Saturday, Dec. 14, 2013, at the age of 66 after a long illness. He was at peace in his passing.

He was born Clifton Bradley Swetnam on July 22, 1947, in Richmond, Calif.

Cliff’s lifelong dream was to be a policeman. To this end, he joined the Alameda County Sheriff’s Department in 1970. Cliff was with the ACSO for 28 and a half years, retiring in 1999.

He then went to work with the Lake County Sheriff’s Department and was a welcome presence at the Lake County Courthouse, where he retired after 10 and a half years.

Cliff married his first wife in 1969 and had two beautiful daughters, Corinne Swetnam Wagner and Shannon Swetnam Woodward.

He then married his second wife, Joy Prichard Swetnam, in 1995.

Cliff first met Joy at a dance at the IDES hall in Hayward in 1966, but they lost contact with each other shortly thereafter. They met again in 1994 where it was “love at first sight – 28 years later.”

Cliff’s daughter, Shannon, is married to Kenneth Woodward; they have two children, Mason, 10, and Avery, 8. Cliff’s older daughter, Corinne, is married to Michael Wagner and has one daughter, Taylor, 15, who has been the light of Cliff’s life.

Cliff loved to travel and over the years he traveled to Sweden, Norway, Mexico, Canada, Tahiti and many other places.

For many years he fished the Tournament Bass Trails, where he won many awards and traveled to lakes all over the United States.

When he could no longer fish, he bought a travel trailer and, with Joy and his two dogs, camped all over California, Oregon, Washington and British Columbia. He was planning his next “camping” trip right up to the end of his life.

Another passion for Cliff was Lake County.

He was appointed to the Lake County Planning Commission in 2000 and served for 12 years.

He spent an enormous amount of time researching every issue that came before the commission, and felt the decisions he made were truly the best for Lake County.

Because of his hard work and dedication, he was awarded “Planning Commissioner of the Year” by the California County Planning Commissioner Association, a statewide organization, in 2008. He also served on their board of directors for several years.

In his later years, Cliff became a vocal anti-smoking advocate, speaking at smoking cessation classes offered by Lake Family Resource Center.

He would bring in all of his medications and drag his oxygen tank to the front of the room so everyone could see what smoking had done to him. He encouraged participants to ask questions and answered all with honesty and compassion. Many people have called him after his presentations to let him know that he was the reason they were able to quit smoking.

Family and friends were Cliff’s life blood. He had such a love of life and the adventures that awaited. Cliff was loved by all who knew him.

Cliff is survived by his wife, Joy; daughters, Corinne and Shannon; stepsons, Kenneth and Eric; grandchildren, Taylor, Mason and Avery.

He is also survived by his brothers, Greg Swetnam, Mark Prichard, Paul Prichard and Thom Prichard, and sister, Jeannette Prichard and their families. He also was close to his cousins and especially close to his nieces and nephew in Texas.

There will be a memorial service held on Friday, Jan. 3, 2014, at 1 p.m., at Chapel of the Lakes, 1625 N. High St., Lakeport.

A gathering of friends and family will take place at the Soper-Reese Community Theatre, 275 S. Main St., Lakeport.

Cliff requested that people celebrate his life by wearing Hawaiian shirts to the service.

He also requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Lake Family Resource Center, 5350 Main Street, Kelseyville, CA 95451.

Upcoming Calendar

30Mar
03.30.2024 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
Lakeport Community Cleanup Day
30Mar
03.30.2024 9:00 am - 11:00 am
Second annual Bunny Brunch
30Mar
03.30.2024 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Lake County poet laureate inauguration
31Mar
03.31.2024
Easter Sunday
31Mar
03.31.2024 1:15 pm - 1:45 pm
Lakeport Rotary Club Easter Egg Hunt
1Apr
04.01.2024
Easter Monday
1Apr
10Apr
15Apr
04.15.2024
Tax Day

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