Robert Morse with one of his beloved dogs. Courtesy photo.

Robert Morse passed on to that spirit in the sky on May 27, 2009.

Born on Oct. 31, 1953, in Bakersfield, Calif., Robert proudly called Lake County his home for the last 35 years.

He was preceded in death by his life partner, Jim Connolly, and their two black labs, Katy and Ubu. He is survived by his parents, Catherine and Stanley Decker; brothers, Stan Jr., David and Christopher; sister, Renee; cousin, Scotty; and numerous nephews and nieces.

Robert had a large circle of friends that he continuously touched the hearts of from before and after he moved to Lake County. He asked that you make a friend smile, love harder and make a stranger laugh.

Services will be performed by Father Leo at St. John’s Episcopal Church located at 1190 N. Forbes in Lakeport on Sunday, June 7, at 1 p.m. Immediately following the services, a celebration of Robert’s life will be held at 8265 Broadview Drive in Kelseyville.

Robert requested that any donations on his behalf be made to Hospice Services of Lake County. Please share your memories by leaving comments below.

Joanne Roman died Saturday, May 9, 2009.

Joanne Victoria (Tynecki) Roman of Clearlake Oaks, Calif., passed away on Saturday, May 9, 2009, after her courageous battle with lung cancer. She was 69 years old.

Joanne, a loving daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, aunt and friend was born in Erie, Penn., on June 29, 1939.

She moved to Sunnyvale, Calif., in 1975 where she raised her two daughters. Joanne later moved to Clearlake Oaks, where she married her best friend, Mike Roman who past away in 2003.

Joanne is survived by her mother, Bertha Tynecki; her two daughters, Cheryl Gauss Williamson (husband Daniel) and Pamela Gauss Betoni (husband James); her five grandchildren, Mark, Ashley, Gianni, Nicolo and Ariana; and her brother, Ray Tynecki.

Joanne loved spending time with her husband, family and friends. She was also an active member of her church, Queen of Peace in Clearlake, widows group and the Moose Lodge. She also enjoyed playing bingo and Bunko with her dear friends. Never did she turn away a friend in need, or not extend a helping hand to anyone who asked. Joanne was a great woman who will be truly missed by all.

A memorial service will be held at the at 1 p.m. Tuesday, May 26, at the Clearlake Oaks Moose Lodge, located at the intersection of Highway 20 and Highway 53.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Joanne’s honor to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718. Direct link: http://main.acsevents.org/goto/Joanne.Roman.

A dedicated criminal defense lawyer, Steve compassionately advocated for his clients, gaining recognition as a fierce defender of personal liberties. He successfully defended Lake County’s first “Three Strikes” case. He was a well-known resource to other attorneys.

Steve was a gentleman, and always had a smile and good word for any friend who came his way, including those he met as strangers put parted from as friends. He loved the law, but he loved much more: he had a passion for Corvettes, guitars, billiards, poker, jokes, photography, language, the blues, laughing, his beloved dogs and cats. He also enjoyed sharing good food and a drink with friends.

Stephen did not play poker to win. He played to have his friends with him. While most would see Steve as a brilliant, intense, sometimes irascible trial lawyer, he was a man with a great sense of humor to his friends and family. He could repeat nearly verbatim any scene from any Three Stooges film, and he concocted many of the world’s worst puns.

Stephen loved his home as his retreat from the world. His home is nestled in the hills south of Lower Lake, which he shared with his partner of many years, Lois Jean, known to all as LJ.

Stephen is survived by his mother, Lucy V. Tulanian of Walnut Creek; sister, Laura Tulanian of Fresno; brother, Michael Tulanian, also of Walnut Creek; and dear friend, Mary Benson of Lower Lake.

There will be visitation at Jones & Lewis Clear Lake Memorial Chapel, Main Street in Lower Lake, Monday, May 11, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., with a memorial service at 12:30 p.m. at the Jones & Lewis chapel.

Stephen’s practice and clients will be served by J. David Markham at 707-263-7080.

Stephen’s family prefers that any donations be made to the Family Literacy Program, Lakeport Library 1425 N, High St., Lakeport 95453. Checks may be made to Ginny DeVries, coordinator of the program.

Condolences may be written to the family at www.jonesandlewis.com. For additional information, please contact the funeral home at 707-994-6417.

She attended public school and graduated from Liberty Training High and moved to California in 1946.

She married Jesse Watts in 1948. To this union, two children were born.

The family ran a grocery store in Oakland. She was employed at the United States Postal Service for 21 years in Hayward.

Mother Watts enjoyed cooking and baking for her family. She was also fond of exercising and traveling.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Jesse.

She leaves to mourn her son, Thurman J. Watts, of Lucerne, and daughter, Sharon M. Roberts and son-in-law Jesse A. Roberts of Vacaville; three grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and a host of friends and relatives.

James McDonald, 62, of Lucerne died May 9, 2009, in Lucerne, reportedly from complications of diabetes.

Formerly a cook at Lucerne Alpine Senior Center, and more recently at Yvonne Cox's Dignity Diner soup kitchen held weekly at Kapitan's Café in Lucerne, he was known to his many friends as Max.

Born in Germany in 1947, he served in the United States Navy and for many years worked as a professional chef.

A burial service will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 14, at Upper Lake Cemetery.

Ms. Cox said his “family” at the soup kitchen held a memorial service for him Tuesday night.

“Many of his friends gave thanks then for his bringing them into the 12-step program, where they got clean and sober,” she said.