At 3 a.m. on Feb. 13, 2013, Rev. John Charles Kimbell woke from sleep and began speaking to his deceased wife Kitty. He laughed with joy and giggled like a school boy, concluding the conversation with, “Really, are you sure?” His daughters believe Kitty was telling him that they would be spending Valentine’s Day together because he passed away 11 minutes into Feb. 14 surrounded by his family.

John was born Jan. 2, 1947 in Stafford Springs, Conn., to John and Rita (Knapp) Kimbell.

John was their first of four children, followed by Linda (deceased), Bryan (of Eugene, Ore.) and Dawn Marie (of Springfield, Ore.).

John met Kitty (Katt) in 1959 at church youth group. They married for the first time when he was 12. Officiating was the Judge Roy Bean of Knott’s Berry Farm. Since that was an amusement park and not a church they did the deed for real when both were of age, Aug. 28, 1967 in Orange County, Calif.

John and Kitty had two daughters; Shannon, who is the pastor of United Christian Parish in Lakeport, Calif. (husband Michael Kimbell-Auth, children Gabriel and Zachary), and Kimberle, a social worker in Riverside, Calif. (husband Todd Hill, children David, Cody and McKenna).

John served in Vietnam with the United States Army from 1967 to 1970.  

Though Vietnam sidetracked John’s lifelong desire to become a pastor, in 1974 he became a lay pastor for the Congregational Church in Staffordville, Conn.

In 1999 after working for many years in the California Title Industry he was accepted into the licensed ministry program for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Iowa.

In 2000 the United Methodist Church called him to serve his first church in Battle Mountain, Nev. He completed the five-year licensing process with the United Methodist Church through Claremont School of Theology.

In 2003 John was moved to serve the United Methodist Churches of Soulsbyville and Tuolumne, Calif. While there John became a beloved community leader, serving constantly beyond the walls of the church and denomination. He was perhaps happiest, however, with a food ministry he began that regularly fed up to 60 homeless persons each week.

His wife Kitty died in 2009 and in 2010 John was blessed to fall in love once again with Debra Goy. They were married on Nov. 26, 2010.  

In 2010 John was able to make a long desired pilgrimage to the Holy Land with his daughter Shannon and a number of friends from Lakeport. The highlight of this trip for John was leading a worship service in the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus prayed as he approached his own death. His favorite Bible passage was Isaiah 40:31.

A celebration of John’s life was held Feb. 16, 2013, in Tuolumne. His cremains will be mixed with his wife Kitty’s and they will be scattered at sea April 5, 2013.

Maximiliaan Peter Anthony Joseph Mulder passed away Feb. 8, 2013.

He is survived by his wife, Pamela, and children, Christopher, Brian, Zachary and Pam.  

He was born Jan. 23, 1960, in Delft, Netherlands.

Max was an infant when he, his parents and eight siblings immigrated to America. He grew up in Southern California and Orange County.  

Max and his family have lived in Lake County, Calif., for the last 14 years and he was the owner of Lords Insurance Agency.  

Max loved the beauty and history of Lake County and was grateful for such loyal friends and clients alike.  

He was always quick with a big smile, a kind word and a good laugh.

He will be forever missed. Tout ziens.

Loren A. Baldwin died in Lakeport, Calif., on Feb. 8, 2013.

He was a California native, born in Los Angeles on Aug. 12, 1918, and raised in Beaumont.

Loren graduated high school in 1936 and was inducted into the US Army Air Corps in 1942 as an air traffic controller.

Upon discharge, he joined the California Department of Forestry and attended college in Riverside and Redlands, Calif. He graduated in 1956 with a bachelor of arts degree in journalism.

Loren moved to Middletown, Calif., in 1960 as a dispatcher for the State Forestry Station south of town. He later worked as a clerk in the Middletown Post Office.

During his time in Middletown, Loren served as assistant scout master and did one term as a supervisor for the South Lake Fire District. He is well known in town and will be sorely missed.

Loren is survived by his son, Jack Baldwin; three grandchildren; and one great-grandson.

A viewing will be held at Jones and Lewis Clear Lake Memorial Chapel on Wednesday, Feb. 20, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

The funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 21, followed by a committal service at Middletown Cemetery on the west side of the main gate.

Arrangements entrusted to Jones & Lewis Clear Lake Memorial Chapel, Lower Lake, Calif; telephone 707-994-6417; www.jonesandlewis.com .

Helen Dutro Crump has died at age 99.

Helen was born on Jan. 16, 1914, in Spokane, Wash., to Roy and Susannah Dutro.

The family moved to Berkeley, Calif., where Helen later met her husband Fred Crump, who was attending law school. They married in 1941 and remained in San Francisco while Fred served in the Coast Guard during WWII.  

When the war ended in 1945 they moved with their infant son Peter to Lake County, where Fred’s grandfather had settled after the Civil War. Daughter Sally was born in 1947. Fred began his law practice which included serving as the district attorney, a position which was only part-time in those days.

Throughout her life Helen served on numerous charitable committees and as a volunteer for many nonprofit organizations from Red Cross to Eastern Star, to March of Dimes to Cub Scouts.

She was preceded in death by husband, Fred Crump; son, Peter; daughter, Sally; sister, Celene Davidson; and brothers, Harold “Dute” and Donald Dutro.  

She is survived by brother, Burt Dutro of Paso Robles; nieces, Helen Williams, Hallie Kelly, Suzanne Mason and Susan Clark; and nephew, Gary Dutro.

The family will hold a gathering at her home on Sunday, Feb. 24, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., to celebrate Helen’s life and invite any who wish to join them in remembering her.

Arrangements intrusted to Jones Mortuary FD311, Lakeport, Calif.

Arnold Wesley France, 65, sadly left us on Sunday, Feb. 18, 2013, at his home in Kelseyville, Calif.

Arnie was born Feb. 12, 1948, at O’Connor Hospital in San Jose, Calif.

He was a graduate of Soquel High in Santa Cruz, Calif., class of 1966, before earning his degree at Cabrillo College and serving in the Army National Guard.

Arnie was an independent business owner in Lake County, Calif., for over 35 years, as well as a Rotarian.

He is survived by his wife, Sandra, and his two children, Jim and Kimberly.

Private services will be held on Friday, Feb. 22, before he is laid to rest at Hartley Cemetery.

Brian A Matthews, 65, passed away suddenly on Friday, February 8, 2013 at his home in Arbuckle, Calif.

Brian was born in Sacramento, Calif., on Aug. 17, 1947, to the late Daniel and Violette (Pfeifle) Matthews.

He grew up in Sacramento, graduated from Grant Union High School where he played baseball. He proudly enlisted and served four years in the U.S. Navy (1965-1969) during the Vietnam War.

Brian married Mary Anne (Lopez) Matthews in 1966; they had three children and later divorced.

After returning home from military service, Brian was employed by Pacific Gas and Electric Co. for 41 years. He worked at different sites up and down the state.

He spent the majority of his career at The Geysers as a machinist and was a longtime resident of Middletown, Calif.

Brian loved a project, could never sit still and was constantly working, learning and trying new things. He was always there with a project plan for his family and friends.

He began fishing as a child with his mother and remained a passionate fisherman throughout his life. Brian was also a Hospice volunteer, UC Master Gardner, an avid reader, and a steadfast Giants fan.

Brian leaves his wife, Janet K. Young Matthews; his in-laws, Bob and Marie Kormel and family, Rodger and Jennifer Young; daughters, Danielle Matthews Seperas and husband Harry Seperas of Sacramento; Samantha Anne Matthews Rumfelt and her husband Ron Rumfelt of Penryn, Calif.; a son, Brian Stanley Matthews and wife Pamela Jean Konetchy Matthews.

Brian was a loving grandfather to 13 grandchildren, two great-grandchildren; a father to stepdaughter Anne Marie Killian and foster daughter Jennie Emard.

He was predeceased by his second wife, Sharon L. Matthews.   

Brian will be missed dearly.

A private family memorial service will be held at a later date.