Thursday, 21 November 2024

Obits

Austin Scott. Courtesy photo.

Austin Blue Scott (Batemon)

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Born Jan. 16, 2009, Austin gained his wings unexpectedly on June 16 2022, at the young age of 13.

Blue is survived by his parents, Lorisha and Robert Scott; grandparents, Papa Earl and Mema Joy; brothers, Trint, Eddie and Thomas; his sisters, Karissa, and Aaijsha; his auntie/cousin, Jessie and her husband Mikie; along with many aunts uncles and cousins.

Blue was loved and known by many in Lake County. He grew up in Clearlake Oaks and Clearlake all of his short life and gained many friends in a short period of time.

Blue was always on the go and he loved helping others; no matter what it was, he was there to help.

He got along with everyone and no matter where he was he always made friends.

Blue had so many dreams: He wanted to go into the California Conservation Corps after high school.

Blue also loved to cook. He was always on Facebook live or TikTok doing his own cooking shows.

He will be missed by so many.

There will be a celebration of life on Saturday, July 16, at Austin Park.

There is a Go Fund Me page, Venmo or Paypal for donations to help pay for services and his celebration of life. If you would like to make a private donation please contact Austin’s mom Lorisha.

We hope to see everyone at Blue’s celebration of life, where we can all tell stories and say our goodbyes.

There will be memorial shirts to give out along with a slide show, food and drinks. Everyone is invited to come. If you can’t make it to this one the family also will hold a celebration of life in Santa Rosa the following weekend. For more information send a private message to his mother.

Dolores Anne Groves. Courtesy photo.

Dolores Anne Groves (Spooner)
Feb. 28, 1927 — April 27, 2022

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. — Dolores Anne Groves passed away peacefully at her residence near Middletown, California on the afternoon of Wednesday, April 27, due to natural causes. She was 95 years old at the time of her death.

Dolores, known to most friends as “Dee,” was born on Feb. 28, 1927, at the Saint Helena Sanitarium Hospital in what is now known as Deer Park, California, to Clara and Albert Spooner of Middletown, and was baptized at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church several days later.

Dee spent most of her youth helping out on the family farm which was known as the “Spooner Dairy” at that time. One of her chores after school was to find the cows that were grazing somewhere in the woods and bring them in for the night.

Several years after her father’s death in 1938, her mother Clara opened “The Mountain Garden Florist” on the family property, and Dee was the unsung backbone of her mother's business growing flowers, and making and delivering floral arrangements and corsages until her mother’s death in 1984.

Dee attended Middletown schools with the exception of several years during World War II when she boarded at Ursuline High School in Santa Rosa and St. Vincent’s High School in Vallejo due to transportation issues.

It was during her sophomore year at Ursuline that she first attended a concert of the Santa Rosa Symphony and became a lifelong lover of classical music and fan of the Santa Rosa Symphony.

Dee graduated from Middletown High School in 1945. After graduating from high school, she went to work as a telephone operator.

A few years later, Dee met Rex Groves, who was filling gas at his father’s Union 76 station on the corner of Calistoga and Young Street in Middletown. They were married on April 25, 1948, just down the street at St. Joseph’s Church.

The young couple first lived in Tempe, Arizona, and then Chico, California, as Rex finished his studies and teaching credential.

After Rex graduated from Chico State College in January of 1951, they lived for several years in Sacramento where Rex worked as an elementary school teacher.

During a drive through the Napa Valley on the way home to visit their parents one spring morning in 1952, they stopped in Calistoga to inquire about possible teaching positions at Calistoga Elementary School, and Rex was hired on the spot.

They lived in Calistoga for the next 26 years, during which time son Wayne was born. In later years, Dee worked as a seamstress and clerk at Funke’s Men’s Clothing Store. During her stay in Calistoga, she was active in the Ladies Guild of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, taught catechism, volunteered as an election worker, and was active in the Calistoga Music Boosters and PTA.

After a new house was built for Dee’s mother at the family property near Middletown, Dee and Rex relocated back to the old Spooner home in 1978 and from that time, Dee worked as a secretary receptionist at Earle Wrieden’s real estate office in Middletown until it closed in 1992, and later worked as a florist at “Flowers by Wendy.”

After Rex passed away in 1997, Dee continued to live in the old family house until it burned in the 2015 Valley Fire. After the fire, she relocated to the newer house next door that survived the fire and lived there until her death.

Dee was a lifelong member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Middletown (even while living in Calistoga), where she provided flower arrangements each Sunday and intricate pine garlands at Christmas for many years.

She was an avid gardener and enjoyed hiking and camping. She loved classical music and was a season ticket holder at the Santa Rosa Symphony for over 25 years.

After returning to Middletown, she was a member of the Middletown Lioness Club, volunteered at the Middletown Sheriff’s Office, Middletown Senior Center and delivered Meals on Wheels.

Dee had a warm and engaging personality that always made everyone feel at home and a way of brightening their day no matter how difficult the situation.

Being the youngest of a large family, she cared for many elder family members to the end. She also had a very soft spot in her heart for cats.

Dee was predeceased by her parents, Clara and Albert Spooner; husband, Rex Groves; her brothers, Laurence and Francis Spooner; and her sisters, Mary Phelps and Carmel Copeland.

She was survived by her son, Wayne Groves; daughter-in-law, Yuko Groves; grandson, Joseph Groves; nephews (and spouses) Raymond, John (Bonnie) and Steven (Linda) Copeland; grand-nephews, Christopher (Beth) and Matthew (Rachel) Copeland; grand-niece, Lisa Copeland; great-grand nephews, Joshua and Jacob Copeland; and great-grand niece, Pippa Copeland, whom she met for the first time several days before her death.

She was also survived by faithful caregivers, Kenneth Olson, Lisa Rogers, Millie Simon and Bep Zolczynsky, as well as numerous friends.

Friends and family are invited to attend a memorial mass which will be celebrated on Saturday, July 16, at 2 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Middletown, with interment at the Middletown Cemetery to follow.

Glenn Perkins. Photo courtesy of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

On June 22, 2022, retired Lake County Sheriff’s Office Captain Glenn Perkins passed away at his home in La Verkin, Utah, at age 86.

Captain Perkins was hired as a deputy sheriff around 1964. He climbed through the ranks of sergeant, lieutenant and finally captain.

He attended the FBI National Academy in 1981 and graduated with Class #124 in March of that same year. He spent his entire career with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

On Sept. 11, 1992, Captain Perkins retired from law enforcement after a long and honorable career. He moved to La Verkin, Utah, where he lived until his passing.

He is survived by his wife Norma and children Zane and Tavis Perkins.

Pam Hinman. Courtesy photo.

Pam Hinman
Sept. 26, 1936 — June 28, 2022

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — She was born to William Marsh and Louila Hair. She is survived by her loving husband, Chester M. Hinman; her beloved stepson, Scott; sons, David Cutts and Timothy Cutts; daughter, Susan Peters; and numerous nieces, nephews and grandchildren.

Her absence will be felt by those who knew her.

May she rest in peace knowing that her family will mourn her demise and remember what she stood for.

Graveside service to be at 10 a.m. Aug. 19, at Upper Lake Cemetery.

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

Phil Myers. Courtesy photo.

Phil Myers
Oct. 16, 1940 – July 6, 2022

On July 6, 2022, Phillip Edward Myers, loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed peacefully surrounded by family at the age of 81.

Phil was born on October 16, 1940, in McGregor, Iowa, to Richard and Marian Myers. He graduated Marquette-McGregor High School as salutatorian in 1958. Inspired by his father’s passion for education, he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from Iowa State University in 1962.

While growing up on the Mississippi River, Phil and his younger brother worked in their father’s numerous businesses that served the small community, including flooring, televisions and appliances, and eventually, a houseboat construction and rental business called The Boatels.

It was Phil’s paternal grandmother, the town historian, who instilled in him a curious mind and a passion for history.

After college graduation, his career as an engineer in the aerospace industry took him to far-off places like Thailand, Japan and Kwajalein, and then as an executive, he made frequent domestic trips. He celebrated 40 years with Control Data Corp., then worked and retired from General Dynamics.

While working on a project in Hawaii, he met and married the love of his life, Jacqueline Raelene Araujo, in 1965, and together they raised four children, John, Debra, Kevin and Ann, moving to San Jose, California, in 1974.

Phil became a devout Catholic as an adult and tirelessly served his parish communities as lector and eucharistic minister, on parish, finance and diocesan councils, and as counsel to others seeking their own faith path through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, or RCIA.

Together, Phil and Jackie enjoyed family vacations in their RV, as well as exploring the world through numerous cruises, tours of lighthouses and historic sites, and several pilgrimages to sacred sites including Lourdes and Fatima. One of his last international trips was a pilgrimage to the Holy Land with his daughter, Ann.

In 2002, Phil and Jackie retired and relocated to Paradise, California, and in 2006, moved to Lakeport, California, to be closer to family, and eventually, Phil joined his son-in-law’s investment consulting firm.

Whether it was the mighty Mississippi, Pacific Ocean, Clear Lake or backyard swimming pool, Phil never lived far from water, and in his retirement, he spent many enjoyable days boating with family and bass fishing with close friends.

Known for his cheerful disposition, positive attitude, and seemingly endless supply of Dad jokes, Phil found joy in being the bright spot in someone’s day.

In his later years, as the primary caregiver to his wife, Phil was determined to understand the latest medical advances in neurodegenerative diseases. Shortly after her passing in 2011, he was then diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease and became a steadfast research and patient advocate with the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, Brain Support Network and Michael J. Fox Foundation. He participated in the Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative, or PPMI, study and established a Lake County Parkinson’s Support Group.

Phil is survived by his four children, John (Tamara) Myers of Oakdale, California; Debra (Rian) Sommerfield of Kelseyville, California; Kevin Myers of Rocklin, California; Ann Myers of Burbank, California; six grandchildren; one great-grandson; and his brother, Robert.

Phil is predeceased by his parents, Richard Wilson Myers and Marian Elizabeth Myers, and his beloved wife, Jacqueline Raelene Myers.

Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, July 18, at 11 a.m. at St. Mary Immaculate Catholic Church, 801 N. Main St., Lakeport, with a memorial reception to follow. Interment will be at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Lakeport.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation.

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

Justin Gessler Baze. Courtesy photo.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Justin Gessler Baze, age 26, went to be with Jesus on April 2, 2022.

Justin was born on Sept. 27, 1995, to Harry Gessler and Rose Marie Crandell Gessler. Just before his seventh birthday he was entrusted to the care of Don Baze and Kim Costa-Baze who had the honor and pleasure of raising him and being his parents from that time forward.

Justin was raised in Lake County; he attended Konocti Christian Academy and graduated from Kelseyville High School. Justin was loved by his birth family and his adoptive family, and all of his family relationships were important to him.

Justin also treasured his friendships and always aimed to make his friends smile. Justin enjoyed nature and adventure, climbing trees and snowboarding, kayaking, baseball, riding motorcycles and using his street cars as 4x4s on the backroads of Lake County!

He loved bright colors and strong music; he was creative and kind. He always had a smile and a hug to share, also a tender heart for animals and people in need. Anyone who spent time with Justin was aware of his gentle and generous nature.

As a teenager, Justin participated in mission work in Mexico, India and Nepal.

This side of Heaven, it seems Justin is gone much too soon and we will all miss him. Because of God’s faithful promises, we know Justin is celebrating ultimate love, joy and freedom in the presence of the King of all creation, and enjoying perfect life without end. We rejoice in that understanding, and look forward to a Heavenly reunion!

A time of worship and celebration of Justin’s life is scheduled for Saturday July 16, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the Cobb Mountain Community Fellowship, 15460 Highway 175, Cobb.

Instead of flowers or other gifts, the family encourages donating to one of the ministries that Justin served, an orphanage and outreach program in Mexico called The Mission (Rancho de Sus Ninos).

Care entrusted to Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary FD1336, Lakeport, CA, 707-263-0357 www.chapeklofthelakes.com.

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