Lake County News,California

Obits

: Elizabeth Larson; Posted On Thursday, 19 September 2024 00:19; 19 September 2024

Debra Ann Miller

Debra Ann Miller
July 6, 1966 - Sept. 2, 2024

LUCERNE, Calif. — Debra lived in Lucerne and passed at the young age of 58.

She is predeceased by her parents, Bud and Diane, and her brother, Michael.

She is survived by her sister, Janice, and long-time boyfriend, Carlos Arroyo.

Debra enjoyed fishing, camping, boating, games and solving puzzles.

Friends are welcome to attend her celebration of life on Oct. 5 at Robinson Rancheria Resort & Casino, 1545 Highway 20 in Nice from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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

: Elizabeth Larson; Posted On Thursday, 22 August 2024 02:17; 22 August 2024

Frank C. Hodge

UPPER LAKE, Calif. — Frank C. Hodge, born Nov. 3, 1946, in Napa, California.

Frank passed away peacefully in his home in Upper Lake, California, surrounded by his cherished family.

He was a proud member of the Cherokee Nation, and retired custodian for the Upper Lake School District where he worked for 23 years.

Frank leaves behind a legacy of love, strength, laughter and community.

Frank was the father of two sons, Sonny (Frankie) and John (Bubba) Hodge and one daughter Sara (Sis) Sanchez. His family also includes his son-in-law Rob Sanchez and daughters-in-law Samantha Hodge and Amber Shawver.

Frank's pride and joy were his 10 grandchildren: Ryan Baier, Aiden and Jordan Hoke, Angel, Alex, Chelsie, Isabel and Jimmy Sanchez, Colin Sheldon and John Mackellen Graham Hodge. Frank was raised in a very large family which included 13 siblings and is very loved by his brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews.

Frank’s early years were spent in Takilma, Oregon, but moved with his family to his beloved small town of Upper Lake, California when he was in the third grade. Raised by the close-knit community in Upper Lake, Frank dedicated his life to giving back and nurturing the community that had supported him. Frank was known for exhibiting kindness to kids who didn’t always have what they needed. This includes buying shoes for kids, gifting bicycles and taking kids fishing.

He was known affectionately by many names — Frankie, Uncle Frank, Dad, Grandpa Frank, Mayor Hodge and the Dog Father — each reflecting the deep affection and respect he earned from all who knew him.

Frank loved nature and everything it includes. He was someone who believed in preserving and respecting the natural environment. He was active in many local groups; the Chi Council where he helped to track the hitch running in the local creeks, the California Striper Association where he worked to get stripers planted into Lake Mendocino, The Black Tail Association, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Lake County Rodeo Association and was also part of the Upper Lake Water Board.

A man of simple pleasures, Frank found joy in fishing with his brothers, children and closest friends. Frank met his best friends in Upper Lake and many of them became family, many of those friends continued to go fishing and visiting with him up to the very end.
His lifelong friendships and bonds with his fishing and (let’s be honest) drinking buddies were a testament to his warm and generous spirit.

Frank’s life was a tapestry of love, laughter and camaraderie. His absence leaves a void in the hearts of his family and friends, but his memory will be cherished through the countless stories, fishing tales, and the enduring impact he had on his beloved Upper Lake community.

A celebration of Frank's life will be held at a later date, where all who knew and loved him are invited to share in remembering a remarkable man who lived his life with his whole heart and soul.

: Elizabeth Larson; Posted On Sunday, 18 August 2024 00:02; 18 August 2024

Helen Neal

Helen Jeanne Neal
June 4,1929 to July 16, 2024

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Helen was born in San Francisco. Her parents were French and French was her first language. They later moved to the French section in Marin County, San Anselmo, California.

She married her first husband, Richard Lang, in 1948 and had three children. Monica in 1949, Richard “Rick” in 1951 and Duane in 1956. She later divorced Richard and married Albert Neal in 1961, having her last child, Alan, in 1962. They moved around a lot before finally settling down in Petaluma, California. In 1972 she was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. She loved sharing her hope for a better future and was active in the congregations she attended through the years.

In 1979 she was widowed at the age of 50. She went on to live a full, rich life on her own while taking care of her son, Duane, who had health issues. After living in Petaluma for over 35 years, she and Duane moved to Cloverdale to be near to her daughter, Monica, and her son-in-law, Brian. She lived there for over 20 years. The last year and half she moved to Lakeport to be closer to her son, Alan and his wife, Becky.

Helen was a very loving and special person, very giving and always looking out for family and friends that were in need. She was a homemaker and known for making very good food. Her interests were French cooking, cake decorating and flower arranging. She even went to school for French cooking, receiving a certificate for her talents.

She loved old black and white movies and loved to talk about them and the actors and actresses in them. She loved the Victorian era. Just pick up a "Victoria" magazine with all its beautiful pictures of antiques, porcelain or fine China tea sets and pastel flower arrangements, and it will make you think of Helen. Her house was always humble, but always immaculately decorated (not to mention squeaky clean) with antiques, delicate China dishes and large floral arrangements that she made herself, always in her favorite colors of pink and soft pastel colors.

Helen was an amazing woman who was able to live independently until the last three weeks of her life, never having any kind of cognitive decline. At 95 years of age, she was still smart as a tack. She attributed that healthy mind to the reading and bible study she did every day.

She was predeceased by her husband, Albert, and three of her children, Rick Lang in 1999, Duane Lang in 2017 and Monica Patenaude in 2021.

She is survived by her son, Alan Neal (Becky); sisters, Vickie Pedroli and Valerie Henry; grandchildren, Mark Moline (Natalie), Michael Moline (Pauleen), Elisabeth Cruz (Daniel), Kevin Kitchens (Khrystal) and Richard “Richie” Lang; as well as great grandchildren, Nicholas, LJ, Lucas, Monica, and Hunter; nieces, Chrissy and Leeann; and nephews, Ron, Kenny and Larry.

She was dearly cherished by her family and friends and will be dearly missed by all.

It was Helen's wish not to have a public service. The family did do a small graveside gathering at her burial, we wanted to be together and honor our sweet Helen. She is buried at Valley Memorial Park Cemetery in Novato, California. Next to her, on the same lawn, are her two sons, Duane and Rick Lang, and her daughter Monica Patenaude.

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

: Elizabeth Larson; Posted On Friday, 13 September 2024 03:58; 13 September 2024

Dorothy Ann Furman

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — It is with sad hearts but with God’s abiding peace that we say goodbye to our lovely mother and grandmother, Dorothy Ann (Hastie) Furman.

She has been welcomed into God’s Heavenly Kingdom and is now at rest with her husband, Duane Furman, and other loved ones that have gone on before her.

Although it has been a few months since the passing of our dad we are comforted that she is now at peace. Dorothy valiantly tried to remain strong to continue on but her heart and mind were burdened with the loss of the love of her life of 70 years.

On the morning of Aug. 24, 2024, Dorothy passed away due to a recently diagnosed heart condition. She was 86 years old and passed away at her home on Scotts Valley Road. She had been comfortable living in the log home that Duane had built for them 24 years ago.

Dorothy leaves behind her children, April (Bob) Barthel of Kelseyville, Vickie (David) Fultz of Kelseyville, Ellie (Kevin) Henderson of Lakeport, and Andy (Christin) Furman of Beaverton, Oregon.

She was a proud Gram to 11 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. She had been looking forward to the arrival of the newest great-grandson born six days before her passing and another great-grandson on the way.

Dorothy means “God’s gift” and that she was to all who knew and loved her.

She is predeceased by husband, Duane; son, Marty; daughter, Erin; her parents; and her sister, Billie Ann Knartzer.

Dorothy, “Dottie Ann,” was born on Feb. 23, 1938, in Manchester, New Hampshire to George Ballantyne Hastie and Dorothy Augusta (Blevens) Hastie.

She was proud to be from New England and had the feisty spirit of her Scottish heritage. Her father, also known as “Scotty,” immigrated from Scotland as a child and her mother was born in St Louis, Missouri and was of Welsh and English descent.

Dorothy lived in several places as a child: New Hampshire; Texas; Jenner, California, where her father was stationed during World War II; and Port Chicago, California.

When Dorothy was in her mid teens she and her mother and sister moved to Martinez, California, across the street from the young man that 16 year old Dorothy would fall in love with and marry shortly after graduating from Alhambra High School in 1956. She and Duane were married for close to 68 years before he passed in March of this year.

The Furmans were residents on Scotts Valley Road in Lakeport for 62 years. The first 37 years were on the family ranch, The Running F Ranch, and the last 24 years on 20 acres in their log home.

Dorothy was a devoted wife and mother, raising six children. She was active in her church and community. She owned the Agape Bible Book Store for many years. She was the organizer and supporter of her children and grandchildren’s activities.

She and Duane devoted many years to the Lake County Fair Junior Livestock Exhibition. She enjoyed reading and still had books from the library to be read.

She was an excellent seamstress and counted cross stitch queen. She crocheted countless blankets, many for babies.

Dorothy was proud to be a cattleman’s wife and enjoyed traveling with Duane to buy the next Angus bull for his stock.

We’ve heard from so many that our mom was a wonderful person. She loved her family. We will miss her dearly but are comforted that she is no longer sad and in pain and is watching us from Heaven above with our dad and our siblings. Thank you God for giving us the “Gift” of Dorothy.

Respectfully, services are private.

If you so wish, you may make contributions in Dorothy Furman’s name to The Muscular Dystrophy Association at MDA.org or the Lakeport Library, 1425 N. High St., Lakeport, CA 95453. Thank you.

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

: Elizabeth Larson; Posted On Wednesday, 21 August 2024 01:40; 21 August 2024

Loren Dean Schneider

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. — In early July 2024 Loren Dean Schneider died at his home in Kelseyville.

Loren Dean was born in Texas in 1973 to Larry and Suzanne Schneider, after his father returned from Vietnam.

Loren Dean is survived by his parents; brother, Daren (Kristie); niece, Blake; grandmother, Cathy; uncles, Jule (Marsha) and Kevin; and numerous cousins, including Trevor, Jory (Alysha), Dax, Kai, Jordan, Garrete, Evelyn, Jacque, Daryl Dean and LaDonna.

He lived the majority of his life in Lake County, California. Loren graduated from Kelseyville High School in 1992.

We would like to thank the many friends who have been invaluable to Loren and our family, including, but not limited to, Jonathan and Jessica Killops; Sirri and Robyn Reed; Jody and Missy Pulse; and Judy and Fred Middendorff.

There will be a celebration of life in October.

: Elizabeth Larson; Posted On Saturday, 17 August 2024 01:18; 17 August 2024

Ramona Lee Buss

Ramona Lee Buss
April 5, 1939 – Aug. 9, 2024

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Ramona Lee Buss, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend, passed away on Aug. 9, 2024, at the age of 85.

Ramona was born on April 5, 1939, in Georgetown, California, to Ray and Lorena Burnett.

Ramona attended Kelseyville High School where she met her future husband, Byron. Their 61-year marriage began on May 6, 1958.

In 1960, Ramona and Byron assumed responsibility for the family’s pear farming operations and the young couple called Kelseyville home for the remainder of their long and happy union.

Ramona was a homemaker who took great pride in keeping an immaculate house as well as tending to her garden, which was always brimming with flowers. Ramona also knew her way around a tractor and worked in the orchard when an extra hand was needed.

Ramona’s love of animals was legendary and she was often seen nursing a sick or wounded animal back to health.

Ramona’s great faith saw her through hard times and she truly inspired others with her love of God.

Ramona is predeceased by her husband, Byron, who passed away in 2019 at the age of 82. She is also predeceased by two of her three children, David and Lori; her sisters, Evelyn and Mary; and her brother, Vernon.

Ramona is survived by her daughter, Debbie; her much loved grandchildren, Michael and Krystina; and her sister, Margaret, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Graveside funeral services will be held at Kelseyville Cemetery on Thursday, Aug. 22, at 10 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to the Arthritis Foundation.

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

Obits

Debra Ann Miller

Frank C. Hodge

Helen Neal

Dorothy Ann Furman

Loren Dean Schneider

Ramona Lee Buss

Upcoming Calendar

Mini Calendar

LCNews

Newsletter

Search