LAKEPORT, Calif. – Walter was born in Santa Cruz, Calif., on May 2, 1929, the only child of Arthur C. and Edna May Curtis. 

He went to be with the Lord Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2014, in Lakeport.

Walter's early years were spent in Salinas, Calif., and then in 1945, he moved with his parents to Lodi, Calif.

He graduated from Lodi Union High school in 1947 and from UC Berkeley in 1952 with a degree in civil engineering.

He married Evelyn L. Thompson on May 14, 1954. He was employed by Caltrans for 35 years, retiring in 1987. 

He later was self-employed doing soil studies for people wanting to do lot splits where a septic system would be needed.

The family first lived in Stockton, then Sacramento for two years, and then to Lodi where they lived until 2004 before moving to Lakeport to be near their daughter, Kathy Medlin.

Walter was a member of Temple Baptist Church of Lodi and active a a deacon and Sunday School teacher. He also worked as a referee for baseball games for the local Lodi City League.  

In Lakeport, Walter was active at Grace Evangelical Church of Kelseyville, the Lakeport Gideon Camp and Chapter 12 of the Retired Public Employees Association.

Walter is survived by his wife of 60 years, Evelyn; daughter, Kathy (Paul) Medlin of Kelseyville; sons, David (Esther) of Pacifica and Daniel (Linda) of Martinez.

He also is survived by six grandchildren, Andrew Medlin, Michael (Stacey) Medlin, Rachael (Adrian) Avila, Kerrie (Dustin) Nichols, Rebecca (Dalton) Martin and Christopher Curtis; and five great-granddaughters.

Memorials may be sent to The Gideons International, P.O. Box 311, Lakeport, CA 95453.

A memorial service will be Thursday, Oct. 30, at 2 p.m. at the Grace Evangelical Free Church of Kelseyville.

For further information call Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com .

Mel Holden
1937-2014

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Our beloved Father, Papa, Great Papa, and very good friend to many, passed away Thursday, Oct. 23, 2014.

Mel was born and raised in Berkeley, Calif. He married his wife, Shirley and raised three children in Pinole, Calif. After retiring he moved to Kelseyville, CA where he lived his remaining years.

Mel was a contractor in various fields and worked as a Realtor alongside his wife.

He loved hunting, dancing on Saturday nights, spending time with his family and friends but most of all he loved living life to the fullest.

Mel was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley, and his son Rick.

He is survived by his daughters, Terri and Sherri; son-in-law, Tom; daughter-in-law, Laureen, grandchildren, Cristal, Jesse, Cody, and Branden; great-grandchildren, Deshawn, Christopher, Layla, Destiny, Caydence, and Ricky; and loving girlfriend, Connie Conser.

His life was a blessing, his memories are treasures. He will be loved beyond words and missed beyond measure.

Funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30, at Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29, also at Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary.

Mel will be laid to rest at Hartley Cemetery.

For further information call Chapel of the Lakes at 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611 or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com .

COBB, Calif. – Dagmar Gay Smith was born Jan. 17, 1940, to Peyton and Lorraine Newlon in Bellevue, Calif.

She passed away peacefully on Oct. 16, 2014, in Cobb, surrounded by her loving family after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

Dagmar grew up in San Francisco, where she began playing the piano and guitar at 4 years old. She quickly surpassed her teachers and became a talented musician.

Dagmar married her high school sweetheart, Ed, in 1957. They raised their four children in Half Moon Bay, Calif., and together enjoyed camping, hunting, fishing and shooting. Dagmar's love of reading was passed on to her children and grandchildren.

The family moved to Loch Lomond in 1976, where Dagmar lived until relocating to Salome, Ariz., in 2007 where she spent seven years with her Wagon West family, before returning to Cobb to spend the last few months of her life. Her quiet strength and courage were admired by all who knew her.

Dagmar was preceded in death by her husband, Eddie Robert Smith, and son, Eddie Robert Smith Jr.

She is survived by her daughter, Virge Senger-Miller (Bill Miller) of Salome, Ariz.; daughter, Janet Smith (Matt Smith) of Cobb; son, Vincent Smith of Blythe, Calif.; grandchildren, Jason Burr of Petaluma, Calif., Aaron Burr of Santa Rosa, Calif., Jessica Smith (Michael Penhall) of Lake Forest, Calif., Matt Smith Jr. of Cobb and Will Smith of Wilmington Island, Georgia; four great-grand children; brother, Walt Newlon (Judy) Modesto, Calif.; and many nephews and nieces.

A party in honor of her life will be held at the Smith family residence on Cobb at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25. For more information email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

There will be a private family interment.

Donations are requested to Lake County Hospice.

Ross J. Giles
1925 - 2014

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Ross J. Giles, born Aug. 26, 1925, passed away Oct. 24, 2014, in Lakeport from a stroke. He was 89.

He was born in Hoquiam, Washington, but Lakeport was always his home no matter where his travels took him.

Ross was a WWII veteran who served in both the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force for a total of 21 years.

He went on to several careers and always took great care of his family.

Camping and fishing in the mountains and at the coast were favorite pastimes. He stayed active and independent until the end.

Ross was preceded in death by his wife of 51 years, Bonnie Lane Giles; parents, Ross N. Giles and Mary Chapman Giles Snow; his special in-laws, Perry and Lola Lane of Lakeport; and sisters, Esther (Edgar) Hill and Gerry (Dean) Hyder.

Ross is survived by his three children, Ross M. (Miriam) Giles, Connie Brewer and Cindy Giles-Davi (Dan); and also survived by his brother, Bob Giles.

He will be especially missed by his special granddaughter, Megan Pedro. Also missing him will be grandchildren, Michael, Ryan, Chris and Tim Giles, Katherine (Brewer) Crabill and their spouses plus seven great-grandchildren.

The family will have a private memorial at a later date.

The family wishes any donations in Ross' memory be made to a local wildlife organization.

Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Alfonso Coronado passed away Oct. 9, 2014, after a long illness.

He is survived by his mother, Maria Ibarra; daughters, Corrina and Halena Coronado; and grandchildren, Richard and Scarlet.

Memorial Mass will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, at the Parish of St. Mary Immaculate, 801 N. Main St. in Lakeport.

Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary.

Verdon L. Strong of Clarksville, Tenn., passed away on Oct. 5, 2014, after a brief illness.

Verdon was born in Oklahoma on Jan. 17, 1934, to Earl and Bessie Lee Strong.

He was a graduate of Kelseyville High School.
 
Verdon served as the assessor of Lake County, Calif., from 1971 until his retirement in 1990. He was a
well respected member of the community.
 
Verdon leaves his loving wife of 34 years, Carol; sons, Douglas (Cindy), Duane (Kathy) and David Strong; daughter, Verisa (Arther) Reynolds; stepsons, Michael and Greg (Cecelia) Manning; daughters-in-law Mary Beth and Cheryle Strong; as well as several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
 
Verdon will be interred at the Northern California Veteran's Cemetery.

He will be deeply missed.