Fred Lett passed away peacefully, at home in Kelseyville, Calif., surrounded by family on May 3, 2013. Fred was born in Des Moines, Iowa, on March 16, 1930.

He moved to Kelseyville in 1948 and graduated from Kelseyville Union High, class of 1949.

Following high school, Fred joined the Navy and served in the Korean War. He was discharged as a Radarman, Third Class in 1953.

Fred married his high school sweetheart, Eleanor Renker on Feb. 17, 1952 in the new sanctuary at the Kelseyville Presbyterian Church. They moved to Long Beach, Calif., where he was stationed. There, Ellie and Fred joined Geneva Presbyterian Church where they were embraced by a wonderful community and made life long friends.

They raised their three children in Lakewood, Calif., returning to Kelseyville every summer to visit family. In 1988 they moved back to the family home in Kelseyville. They celebrated their 61st anniversary in February of this year.

Fred was an active member of the Kelseyville Presbyterian Church and also belonged to the Lion’s Club and American Legion. He was always happiest hunting and fishing.

Fred is survived by his loving wife, Eleanor and his three children: Cynthia Smalanskas (Bill), Tamara Lett (Marilee), and David Lett. His beloved grandchildren include Jacob (Lori), Matt (Lisa), Christopher (Ashley), Jarrett (Jordyn), Käthe, Luke, Jessamyn, and Phoebe.

Fred is also survived by his sisters: Katherine Terry, Eleanor Gentile and Pat Bonos (Bill), and his in-laws, Dietmar Renker (Lois) and Alfred Renker (Sandra).

He is finally at rest. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date.

Guilford John Mandigo, born Sept. 1, 1924, in Bismark, North Dakota, passed away May 2, 2013 in Santa Rosa, Calif.

Raised in Bismark, he graduated high school before going on to attend Central Bible Institute in Springfield and graduated from North Central Bible Institute In Minneapolis, Minn., in pastoral studies.

He then went on to serve as an evangelist – traveling as “The Musical Mandigos” for five years – and pastor in the Assemblies of God for more than 50 years, serving churches in North Dakota, Ohio, Montana, Wisconsin and California.

Guilford mastered several instruments including piano, clarinet, saxophone, banjo and guitar.

He enjoyed golf, hunting, fishing, board games, dominoes and puzzles.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Donna Lou Mandigo; second wife, Dorothy Mandigo; and brother, Wilbur (Lala) Mandigo

Guilford is survived by his wife, Sylvia Mandigo; children, Dana (James) Leslie of Pennsylvania, Greg (Mary) Mandigo of Wisconsin, and Cathleen Mandigo of California; nine grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

A private memorial service was held Monday, May 6, at Lakeport Christian Center in Lakeport, Calif.
Interment will be at Hartley Cemetery, Lakeport.

Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, Lakeport.

Lewis “Bill” Hamilton, 87, a resident of Lakeport, Calif., passed peacefully at his home April 17, 2013.  He was born in Oklahoma July 7, 1925.

Bill served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Chevalier in World War II.

He married Estelle in May, 1946. They settled down in Oakland then moved to San Lorenzo.

Bill worked for Lawrence Dairy for many years then retired to Lake County where he enjoyed fishing, boating, playing bingo and the slot machines.

He is survived by his wife, Estelle; daughter, Carol; grandchildren, Tammy, Mark and Ashley; and great-grandchildren, Alexandria, Zoey, Tyler and Taya.

Bill was a loving, caring man and will be missed by the many friends and family who loved him.

Family prefers donations to the Lake County Military Funeral Honors Team, P.O. Box 1365, Kelseyville, CA 95451.

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

Carleton (“Carl”) Thomas Stewart, an accomplished singer/songwriter and retired educator, died Tuesday, May 9, 2013, of cancer, his family said. He was 60 years old.

Carl Stewart was a world class musician. He received his music performance degree in voice from Cal State University, Northridge in 1998 and a teaching credential soon after.

He was in great demand in the Los Angeles area during the early 1980s as a vocalist, guitarist and band leader. At that time he was also employed by Warner Brothers as a contract composer and songwriter.

Carl said he “settled down” in 1989 after meeting Tina Tenerowicz, with whom he had a son, Ian (age 14) and daughter, Emma (age 12). Together they also raised his daughter, Francisca (age 27) from a previous marriage. Carl and Tina were married for 20 years.

Born Dec. 4, 1952, in Nashville Tennessee, Carl spent his early childhood in Alabama. Carl moved from Colorado to California in 1977.

Besides a great passion for music and love of his family, Carl also enjoyed being an educator. Carl taught various grades in the Los Angeles area for nearly four years.

He and his family moved to Lake County in 2002, and he began working as a teacher for the Konocti School District. Eventually, he worked in administration as the eighth grade vice principal of Lower Lake High School and principal of Highland School until his early retirement due to illness.

He held various jobs in his youth, ranging from ranch hand to computer programmer. All his experiences were woven into the rich tapestry of the wonderful music he composed, and he was renowned as a consummate musical story teller.

“All of us in the band were constantly amazed at the stories behind the music he’d have us learn. He was a true poet who could synthesize complex emotions into singable lyrics,” friend and fellow band member Clovice Lewis said. “He’d then wrap it all into a compelling piece of music with his amazing voice and kick butt guitar playing that would have you stomping your feet before you realize you are listening to the musical equivalent of a great novel.”

In addition to his immediate family, Carl is survived by his brother, Leonard Stuart; sister, Hannah Stuart-Gambino; and mother, Caroline Stewart. His father, W.H. Cassell Stewart, is deceased.

Plans are now being made for a memorial service for Carl, which will be publicized shortly. In the meanwhile, you can send cards and flowers for Carl Stewart to Tina Tenerowicz, 3450 Lucas Court, Kelseyville, CA 95451.

Steven E. Gaddy passed away unexpectedly in his home on April 24, 2013. He was only 61 years old.  

Steve was born in Lakeport on February 1, 1952, and had been a resident of Lake County, Calif., his entire life. In fact, the Gaddy family was one of the first families to settle in Kelseyville more than a 100 years ago, a fact that made Steve incredibly proud. He was known by his family and friends to be a Kelseyville and Lake County historian.

Steve was preceded in death by his beloved mother, Dolores “Dolly” Todd, and sister, Cynthia Chalmers.

He is survived by father, Edmund Gaddy, and wife, Kathy Gaddy. He also will be sorrowfully missed by stepchildren, Shannon Walker-Smith and Nicholas Walker; and grandchildren, Kellen Smith, Annalise Smith and Arianna Walker, who called him “Pop-Pop.”

As a lifelong resident of Kelseyville, Calif., Steve had hundreds of family and friends he had known for 40, 50 or 60 years, who will also miss him a great deal.

All are welcome to join in a celebration of Steve’s life at 1 p.m. Sunday, May 5, at the Kelseyville Lions Club. Please no donations or gifts, but come prepared to share your stories.

Arrangements entrusted to Jones Mortuary FD311, Lakeport, Calif.

A memorial service for Dolores Nutt, who passed away March 4, 2013, in Redding, Calif., will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 4, at Chapel of the Lakes in Lakeport, Calif.

Inurnment to follow at Hartley Cemetery.

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