He is survived by his brother Dave of New Mexico, as well as family in Washington state – his daughter, Gabrielle Nonast, son-in-law Doug, and grandchildren Ian and Leah.

Writer, environmental activist, entrepreneur, baseball lover and self-described hippy, Don was born in Detroit to parents active in local politics and labor issues.

After college he moved to Los Angeles and carried on the activist spirit as a draft-resistance counselor during the Vietnam War.

He sold juice on Venice Beach and delivered produce to the stars before founding Bongers, a small business that made handheld massage tools, a business he would run for 30 years.

In his later years he founded a health-food products company (his second of this type) to promote capomo, a protein-rich bean from Central America.

His greatest passion and commitment was protecting the environment. Don wrote about environmental concerns for a variety of publications, and in the 1980s created a board game called Save The World.

In the 1990s Don left the “craziness” of LA and settled in Middletown, where he was an active member of the Harbin and HAI communities.

Averse to cold weather, he spent winters in Mexico. There he built a palapa in Yelapa and wrote the novel he’d been planning for years, “King of Diamonds.”

Funny, intelligent, warm, friendly, adventurous, passionate, outspoken, creative, cantankerous, optimistic, unconventional, generous … this is how we will remember him.

Jim M. Love of Clearlake, Calif., died on Sunday, November 6, 2011. He was 79 years old. Courtesy photo.

Jim M. Love, loving husband, father and grandfather, passed away on Nov. 6, 2011, at St. Helena Hospital in St. Helena, Calif.

He was born in Arkansas on May 13, 1932, and moved to California at age 11.

He spent most of his life in the Bay Area. Jim was a Navy veteran, and enjoyed being in the service and forming relationships with those he met. He was stationed on the USS Anderson, nicknamed “The Andy,” and would often attend ship reunions.

After his service, he was employed by AT&T and stayed with them in various positions for 30 years.

Jim retired to Clearlake with his wife Linda in 1986. Jim enjoyed being a part of civic organizations and was a Past Master of the Masonic Lodge, as well as a member of the Elks, VFW and American Legion. His hobbies included hunting and fishing, activities he loved to do with his family.

Jim leaves behind his family: wife of 25 years, Linda Love of Clearlake; children, John, Jolayne, Julie, Anita, Cindy and Kevin; grandchildren, Brandon, Malinda, Myriah, Shawn, Joe, Rick, Derek, Tessa, Laney, Faelyn and Seamus; great-grandchildren, Dalley, Nolan and two on the way; sister, Jo Guerisoli (Vic); nieces, Vicky (David), Maggi and Judy Gomes; and many other extended family and friends.

Services for Jim will be held on Sunday, Nov. 13, at 12 p.m. at the Masonic Lodge, 7100 South Center Drive in Clearlake. In Lieu of flowers please send donations to the American Lung Association.

Arrangements entrusted to Jones & Lewis Clear Lake Memorial Chapel, Lower Lake, CA www.jonesandlewis.com.

V. Jean Young Rongey of Clearlake, Calif., died on Tuesday, October 25, 2011. She was 85. Courtesy photo.

V. Jean Young Rongey of Clearlake passed away on October 25, 2011, at the age of 85 with her family by her side.

She leaves behind her sons, Richard Young and Barry Young (Karen); 11 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; and five living siblings.

She is preceded in death by her first husband, Al Young, and their children, Jimmie Kay Morgado and Tony Young. She also was preceded in death by her second husband, Frank Rongey.

Jean was able to stay home to raise her four children. She loved to learn and spent much of her adult life attending college and obtained two bachelor's degrees as well as several licenses. She took classes and received a pilot’s license so that she and Al could fly together.

Later in life Jean obtained a real estate broker's license and she and Frank opened and operated their own real estate office before retiring. For a time she also worked as a jail matron for women inmates.

Her hobbies included painting both on canvas and on clothing as well as quilting and her very favorite, teaching line dancing.

In lieu of flowers make donations to the Alzheimer Association on behalf of Jean Rongey at www.alz.org.

Services for Jean will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 2, 2011, at Jones & Lewis Clear Lake Memorial Chapel, 16140 Main St., Lower Lake, at 10 a.m. A committal service will follow at Lower Lake Cemetery.

To sign the online guestbook and watch a video with photos of Jean's life, visit www.jonesandlewis.com.

She earned a master’s degree in social work, worked as an adjunct professor and retired recently as administrator of Children’s Mental Health for Stanislaus County.

She was preceded in death by her twin sister “Sami” (Sydney), her older brother Patrick and her son Patrick.

She is survived by her husband Ken Davis and their son Josh.

Beatrix Jacqueline Van Iterson died on Monday, October 10, 2011. She was 57 years old.

Beatrix Jacqueline Van Iterson left this world on Oct. 10, 2011.

She was born on April 29, 1954, in Sassenheim Holland.

She has followed the love of her life, her soul mate and husband of six years, the late Fredrik Bossel.

She is survived by her loving sons, Travis and Stephan Elder, daughter-in-law Rebecca, and grandson Austin of Lower Lake; parents, Jacob Van Iterson and Wihelmina Maria Zantinge; sister, Eveline Van Iterson (Ton Reysner); nephew, Kas and niece, Jill; aunt, Jit Zantinge; longtime, friend, Hans Adriaanse, all from Holland; and step children, Arthur Bossemkool, Bonnie Te Velde and Janet Crabb of California.

Beatrix received her master's degree in art education in the Netherlands. She then came to America in 1976. She studied at California State University, Humboldt where she received her bachelor's degree in art. She also received her learning handicap specialist credentials from Dominican College along with her resource specialist credentials from CSU, Sacramento.

She then went on to teach at Konocti Unified School District for almost 10 years as a Resource specialist teacher for children with learning disabilities.

Beatrix was diagnosed at the age of 22 with multiple sclerosis, which she fought for more than 30 years. She found painting and artwork to be her source of comfort.

An amazing, strong-willed, big-hearted woman who gave her family so many gifts of love, her greatest joy was her grandson, Austin.

The family thanks all of her friends who visited and gave such comfort in her life; you all were true blessings.

A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, Oct. 30, at 3 p.m., in Lower Lake at the Brick Hall. A potluck reception will follow.

Arrangements by Jones & Lewis Clear Lake Memorial Chapel, Lower Lake.