Clinton Rhoades, 87, died on Saturday, September 17, 2011.

Clinton Edward “Dusty” Rhoades began his final retirement on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2011.

Born Dec. 31, 1923 in Muncie, Indiana, he served in the Army during World War II from 1943 to 1945 in France. He was attached to support services, assembling and maintaining vehicles, from jeeps to

trucks to tanks.

After the war, he married Hueberta May Rinker of Anderson, Indiana in 1947. They moved briefly to Texas, then to Long Beach, California in 1948.

In 1950 Dusty was recalled, and served during the Korean War, stationed primarily in Japan.

In 1952 back in California, they moved to Compton, where he continued automotive work as a mechanic. His son Douglas Rhoades was born in 1953.

In 1961 he decided, after visiting Lake County with friends and relatives on several occasions, that he wanted to move north. The following year the family relocated to Nice, where he would remain for the next 43 years.

He opened his own automotive repair and service station business in Upper Lake, the R & R Garage (the second “R” represented his early business partner Lloyd Redfield).

He was also a bus driver for many years for the Upper Lake Union School and High School Districts, and many former students of those schools remember him fondly.

He continued his automotive business until his first retirement in 1989. In 1997, he and his wife celebrated 50 years of marriage.

Hueberta died in 2000 after a protracted illness, during which Dusty remained by her side for many months with the assistance of Hospice Services of Lake County.

Not one to stay at rest for long, Dusty went back to work, providing vehicle transportation for Airport Auto in Lakeport. There he met Ethel Evans, who provided financial services to that business. Her first husband Gil had died in a plane accident in 1987.

In 2005, he married Ethel and moved to Kelseyville where he remained until his rapid decline and death, after being diagnosed with leukemia just one month earlier.

Dusty was very involved in the community. He was a volunteer fireman for the Nice Fire Department, served on the board of the Nice Water Co., where he frequently helped with installation and repair of services for that utility.

He entered the Masonic Lodge in 1961 in Compton, and was a member and Past Master of Hartley Lodge No. 199 F&AM in Lakeport.

Dusty’s family came to America before there was something called the “United States.” He could trace his genealogy through his mother’s Dutch ancestors to arrival in the “New World” in New Amsterdam, now New York, in 1640.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Ellabell Winans Case; father, Gordon Rhoades, of Indiana; and his first wife, Hueberta May Rinker Rhoades of Nice, Calif.

He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Doug and Nancy Rhoades of Kelseyville; grandchildren, Jeremiah French and Sarah Joy Dutra (Joe); and his four great-grandchildren, Adriana, Taran, Ian and

Austin.

He is also survived by his sister, Adeline Monroe of Muncie, Indiana; and his four nieces, Rita, Renee, Julie and Brenda.

A Masonic graveside service will be held at Kelseyville Cemetery on Friday, Sept. 23, 2011, at 11 a.m. with participation by the Lake County Military Honors Team.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice Services of Lake County or the Masonic Homes Foundation.

Celestial Summer Dove Cassman, 35, of Santa Cruz, Calif., died Thursday, September 1, 2011. Courtesy photo.

Celestial Summer Dove Cassman, 35, beloved daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, auntie, friend, colleague, artist and philanthropist, died unexpectedly while vacationing in Hawaii on the island of Maui on Sept. 1, 2011.

Celestial Summer Dove was born on June 15, 1976, into the loving arms of her parents in Nanakuli, Hawaii.

She spent her formative years growing up in Lake County, Calif. She graduated from Clear Lake High School in 1994 and attended UC Santa Cruz, graduating with honors in political science.

She took some time to travel after college, exploring a large portion of South America and then moved to Portland, Oregon, where she worked for a nonprofit affordable housing and community building organization.

She decided to become an attorney, studied hard to take entrance exams, and then selected the UC Davis law school.

During law school, Celestial completed a public interest fellowship where she assisted indigent clients with housing, benefits and employment issues. She also worked as a teaching assistant, and served as co-chair of a nonprofit legal foundation.

She graduated in the top 5 percent of her class and began her professional career at McDonough Holland & Allen law firm in Sacramento in 2004. She ultimately followed her dream to be near the coast and moved to Santa Cruz in 2007.

Until her tragic and untimely death, Celestial enjoyed life and her career in public law, working for the law firm Atchison, Barisone, Condotti and Kovacevich, as deputy city attorney for the coastal California cities of Santa Cruz, Capitola and Half Moon Bay.

Celestial served on the board of directors and volunteered many hours to Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Santa Cruz County, which supports abused and neglected children.

Celestial, or “Dove” as family call her, enjoyed spending quality time with family and friends. She appreciated the beauty of nature and especially loved the beach.

Some of her favorite pastimes included cooking, yoga, walking on the beach, riding her bike, learning to surf and paddle board, writing, drawing and creating art.

Dove especially enjoyed creating and making thoughtful, handmade gifts for loved ones.

She could often be seen pedaling her bicycle or riding her pink motor scooter to work, complete with high heels, business suit and a flower in her hair.

Dove was so very special, had a passion for life and was a joy to be around. She loved animals and cared sweetly for her two cats.

Celestial Summer Dove is survived by her mother, Deborah Bevington and Alex Newfield Sr. of Lake County, Calif.; and father, Ken Cassman and Susan Cassman of Oceanside, Calif.

She also is survived by her devoted sisters, Crystal, Charity, Shawnee, Jessica and Marissa, as well as her grandparents Mary Ellen and Alan Cassman of Los Angeles.

Additionally, she is survived by her aunts and uncles, Joan and Michael and Ted and Beth of the San Francisco Bay area; as well as her adoring nephews and niece, Jon, Josh and Ali; and her cousins; Jason, Cole, Julia, Tim, Danny and Jake. We will miss her dearly.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Sept. 24, at 3 p.m. at Lighthouse Point, Santa Cruz, by the ocean she loved. A memorial Web page can be found at www.ilasting.com/celestialdovecassman.php.

Flowers may be delivered to the Surfing Museum at Lighthouse Point at 701 West Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz 95060, on Sept. 24.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Celestial Dove Cassman’s name to CASA, 813 Freedom Boulevard, Watsonville, CA 95076 or at www.casaofsantacruz.org .

A beautiful soul is never forgotten. Where there are happy memories, there will always be love. We will mourn the loss of such an amazing, bright, loving and generous human being. Her precious light will endure through the good she did in life and all who loved her.

We will never forget Dove.

Joyce Spanos died on September 3, 2011. Courtesy photo.

Joyce Cherie Spanos passed away on Sept. 3, 2011 in Clearlake, Calif.

Born in San Pablo, Calif., she was a longtime resident of Clearlake.

She leaves behind her children, Robert Spanos Jr. of Hidden Valley Lake and Jeana Weiper, and her husband, Jay, of Clearlake.

She also is survived by her grandchildren, Kyle, Ashley and her husband Daniel, and Jayme; a great-granddaughter, Aleena; sister, Jody Day, and her husband, Joe; and many extended family including nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Spanos Sr., and baby William.

Joyce will be remembered for her kind heart and generous spirit. She cherished the time she spent with her grandchildren.

Joyce also will be remembered for her wonderful cooking and baking that she always generously shared with family, friends and co-workers throughout the years.

Private family services are being held. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the American Cancer Society.

Arrangements by Jones & Lewis Clear Lake Memorial Chapel, Lower Lake.

Fallen Navy SEAL Jesse D. Pittman will be remembered in a memorial service on Saturday, September 24, 2011, in Ukiah, Calif. Courtesy photo.

UKIAH, Calif. – The memorial service honoring fallen Navy SEAL Jesse D. Pittman is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, at the Redwood Empire Fairgrounds in Ukiah.

Pittman was one of 30 U.S. servicemen killed August 6, 2011 in Wardak Province, Afghanistan.

He was a 2002 Willits High School graduate joining the Navy in March 2005 and becoming a Navy SEAL in April 2007.

Pittman's extended family and friends ask the community Mendocino County and beyond to come out and show their support for the sacrifice made by Pittman and his family by lining the streets of Ukiah as the family is escorted to the fairgrounds for the service.

The procession is scheduled to travel from U.S. Highway 101 to the Perkins Street exit; head west to State Street turn north and travel to the fairgrounds.

The approximate time the procession should exit the freeway will be between 10 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. on Sept. 24.

Please bring a small American Flag if possible and pick a location on the designated route to help do your small part to let Pittman's family know that we all care and send deepest condolences their way at this time of tremendous loss.

For those who would like to make a donation to help with this memorial honoring Pittman, please send your donation to Agape Bible Church, C/O Jesse Pittman Fund, 290 S. Lenore, Willits, CA 95490.

The memorial service will be held at the Ukiah Fairgrounds Saturday, Sept. 24, at 11 a.m.

Pittman was one of 30 U.S. servicemen killed Aug. 6 in Wardak Province, Afghanistan, when their Chinook helicopter was shot down by insurgents.

Pittman was a 2002 Willits High School graduate. He worked as a seasonal firefighter for Cal Fire in 2003 and 2004 before he joined the Navy in March 2005 to pursue his goal of becoming a Navy SEAL.

Pittman attained his goal and in April 2007 reported to the West Coast-based SEAL team.

He will be sorely missed by his family, friends and fellow Navy SEALs. He loved his country and died a hero.

If anyone would like to make a donation to help with this memorial honoring Pittman, please send your donation to Agape Bible Church, c/o Jesse Pittman Fund, 290 S. Lenore, Willits, CA 95490.

He leaves behind his sister Anita Bays and a son, Isaiah Mckenzie-Bays.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Ann and Don Bays of San Jose.

Jeff shared his time between Clearlake and San Jose. He worked as a tree-trimmer for 20 years.

Jeff belonged to a "hot rod" family, and was in the process of restoring his Ranchero.

He was an accomplished fabricator and was known for the great work he did on cars.

Every Sunday he enjoyed watching NASCAR. Jeff also enjoyed heavy metal music, and you could always hear him as he drove down the street.

Jeff was everyone's friend and never was unkind. Although his looks were intimidating, he was a "big brother" to many and had a great big heart.

A memorial service will be held for Jeff at the American Legion Hall, Jeff's favorite place to spend time in Clearlake. Services will be on September 24 at 2 p.m. with a potluck to follow at the hall.

Arrangements by Jones & Lewis Clear Lake Memorial Chapel, Lower Lake, telephone 707-994-6417.