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Esther Short. Courtesy photo.

Esther Doris Kenneally Short, 79

Devoted wife, loving sister, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Esty was born to Robert Henson and Mary Lister Henson.

She attended school at James Lick High School and Diablo Valley College. She volunteered at Kaiser Home Health and Hospice.

Married to James Kenneally for 57 years prior to his passing and William Short from 2014 to 2020.

She is survived by her three sons Robert, Ronald and Stacey Kenneally, Joseph and Sita Kenneally and her grandchildren Melissa, James, Daniel Kenneally, and Joseph Lowater and their respective families.

If she wasn’t playing golf or traveling overseas her door was always open. Esty’s home was full of laughter, friends, family, adopted pets and the smell of food to share. A woman with the gift of listening, good humor, and gentle strength, she touched all who knew her with her kindness and contagious passion for equality. Her’s was a beautiful life, a life well spent, and a life worth celebrating.

Family and friends are invited to join in a celebration of Esty’s life in spring 2021, a date to be later announced.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to the American Lung Society in her honor.
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Rich Simpson. Courtesy photo.


KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – John Richard Simpson (1935-2020) of Kelseyville passed away peacefully on Sept. 27, 2020, in Kelseyville.

Rich made the most of his time in life and was loved dearly by his friends and family.

Rich was born in Alturas, California, and raised in Marysville, California, where he met and married his wife of 67 years, Oleta Simpson. Rich and Oleta raised their children in Marysville before moving to Kelseyville 40 years ago.

While living in Marysville, Rich worked for Pacific Bell for 35 years. He was also the past master of Corinthian Lodge #9. His love of kids and sports led him to coach and manage for Marysville Little League for several years where he had the opportunity to make a positive impact in the lives of many young men.

To stay busy after retirement, Rich ran his nursery selling beautiful flowers and vegetables. He was a very active member of the Kelseyville Presbyterian Church, especially involved with the food pantry.

Rich also had many hobbies outside his work for the church and his nursery. He loved to cook, watch sports, spend time with friends and family, and drive his RV to Yuma, Arizona, in the winter.

He also was an active member of the Clear Lake State Park in Kelseyville where he enjoyed talking with park attendees at the visitors center and teaching them about the beautiful mountains that he called home.

Rich is survived by his wife of 67 years, Oleta; sons, Kevin and Ron; nine grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and his loyal canine companion, Miss Boots.

He is predeceased by sons, Michael and Rick, and daughter, Pamela Brocker.

Memorial donations in his memory may be given to Kelseyville Presbyterian Church or your favorite charity.

Due to social distancing guidelines, a celebration of life has been postponed and will be held once the family is allowed to host a gathering.

Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com.
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William “Bill” Sterbenk. Courtesy photo.


William (Bill) Sterbenk, a longtime resident of Lakeport, California, passed away peacefully on Sept. 10, 2020, at the Southern Utah Veterans Home in Ivins, Utah. He was 89 years old.

Bill was born on May 7, 1931, in Oakland, California, to Frank and Edna Sterbenk.

At the age of 12, Bill moved to Lake County where he graduated from Kelseyville High School in 1949.

After graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served during the Korean War on the Bon Homme Richard as an Aviation Ordnanceman in Fighter Squad 74. He received the Korean Service, U.S. Service, and Good Conduct medals.

After completing his military service, Bill returned to Lake County and settled in Lakeport where he worked for PG&E from 1953 to 1993.

He served as the chairman of the Lake County Republican Central Committee and was appointed as director of the Lake County Fair Board by Gov. Ronald Reagan.

Bill was a member of the California Republican State Central Committee and Chairman Association, the VFW, Lakeport Volunteer Fire Department and the Konocti Rod and Gun Club.

Bill received his pilot’s license from Lampson Field Airport in Lakeport. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing and traveling.

Bill is survived by his wife of 37 years, Valerie (Risi) Sterbenk of Cedar City, Utah; children, Melodee Reese, Mark (Lori) Sterbenk, Andrea Saunders and Erica Saunders (Kyle) Laws; and sister, Cheryl Newsom.

Bill is also survived by his grandchildren, Jeremy Reese, Rachael (Brandon) Burgan, Alicia (Leo) Nunez, Kyle Sterbenk, John Polhamus, Nick Seils, Natalie Seils, Morgan Wiener, Mikayla (Sam) Moses, Zachary Wiener, Nathan Wiener, Samantha Wiener and Risi Laws; and six great-grandchildren.

Bill was predeceased by his first wife, Beverly Hage, and son-in-law, Jim Reese.

Donations in Bill’s memory can be made to Wounded Warriors or a charity of choice.

Graveside memorial service with military funeral honors will be held at Hartley Cemetery in Lakeport on May 8, 2021, at 11 a.m. A celebration of life will follow.

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

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Bill Kranz. Courtesy photo.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – There was a worn-down broken old house in downtown Lakeport, just a few blocks from the office where Bill would work as a small-town lawyer for the next 46 years. From the moment he saw that old house, he loved it and figured it would be a good place to build a life.

He was a young boy living in Cody, Wyoming, when he decided to be a lawyer. There were a few stops along the way to that small-town house and lawyer’s office.

After Cody, he went to high school in Ontario, Oregon, where he first met Colleen. After high school, he went to college at Gonzaga in Spokane, Washington. That’s where he met Mary.

Because law school at Hastings took him to San Francisco, a whole new world opened to this small-town boy. Hippies, dope, the Summer of Love, concerts in Golden Gate Park … he took it all in.

Bill and Mary explored restaurants and theaters, beaches and movie houses, and walked the hills of San Francisco. At the height of the Vietnam draft, Bill struck a deal with Uncle Sam. Four years as an Army JAG lawyer in exchange for getting to finish law school in those uncertain years. Here was a long-haired law student on his way to the Army marching in peace rallies.

Mary and Bill married and headed across the country to the first of several exotic destinations chosen by the US Army–Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania. Among the books he took were Hoyle’s Book of Rules and The Bartender’s Guide. His daughter Jenny was born in Pennsylvania.

But card games and cocktails in rural Pennsylvania didn’t last long. Phu Bai, South Vietnam was calling for a JAG lawyer. Always a movie lover, Bill was the movie projectionist for Camp Eagle. Each night a movie and then, goodnight, Vietnam. Fort MacArthur in San Pedro, California finished out Bill’s Army days, and that’s where his daughter Kirsten was born.

One day he loaded up the family in a little blue Fiat and moved to Lakeport, to that old house and small office and built a life. The law practice grew, the friends grew, the house grew, and a basketball court was added. Over 25 years of Sunday morning old guys’ games there was a revolving roster of probably 50 players.

Bill found time for so many things. Board games and card games, snow skiing, water skiing, tennis, biking, golfing. The county fair, mowing the lawn, local theater, sourdough pancakes and concerts in the park. Bill was always open to any and everything. Except Scrabble, he didn’t like Scrabble.

But into every life some rain does fall. Bill and Mary divorced, but later at the 40th reunion of their Ontario High School class, Colleen again entered Bill’s life. They married, traveled to faraway places and golfed together, and they kept working on that old house for almost 20 years. Bill’s friends became Colleen's friends, and Colleen’s friends became Bill’s friends, and Colleen and Mary became friends too.

Bill died on Oct. 4, 2020, in the house he loved. The people who had lived in it with him were there. He was OK with leaving life. He had lived his life with enthusiasm and gusto. If life wasn’t a cabaret, it was at least a barbecue and some backyard croquet. Oh, and a Hole in One. Just the finishing touch.

To cement the memory of Bill, here’s his last joke. A Hospice worker asked him how his days were. He said, “Well mornings are bad. I wake up every day and we still have the same president.”

Happy Trails, sweet prince, and enjoy the ride to Hushabye Mountain.

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

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Larry White. Courtesy photo.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Larry Eugene White of Lakeport joined our Lord on Sept. 27, 2020.

He entered this world on Sept. 23, 1953, at Mather Air Force Base in Sacramento, California, to parents, Donald and Arlene White.

Larry grew up in Dublin, California, where he was an active young man, participating in and excelling at baseball also in the Boy Scouts of America.

After graduating from Dublin High School on June 16, 1971, Larry joined the United States Navy, the day after his 18th birthday. He proudly served on the USS Hancock in the Gulf of Tonkin during the Vietnam War.

Following his Honorable Discharge, Larry discovered he had the “gift of gab” and really enjoyed meeting people from all walks of life.

He found his charisma was well suited in the sales world where he got to meet, greet, and shake hands with countless people for the better part of 30 years.

During this time, Larry fathered three boys, Richard, Jonathan and Brett, all of whom he loved dearly and would often share stories of with anyone who would listen.

Larry retired from the sales world in 2003. After a brief time enjoying retirement, he found a new calling. He began working for the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, where he assisted fellow US veterans by transporting those in need to necessary appointments.

Larry again retired, this time for good in early 2018 and on April 27 of the same year, Larry married the love of his life, Gail, in a small ceremony at Grace Church surrounded by their
immensely proud children, family and friends.

Larry and Gail loved to travel and, on a whim, would jump in the car and go exploring. He loved his trips to the California and Oregon coasts with Gail.

Larry’s memory lives on with his loving wife, Gail; his brothers, Richard and Steven; sister, Connie; his sons, Richard, Jonathan and Brett; and four grandsons, Jonathan, Troy, Carson and Dean White.

He is a man who lived his life. Although he is no longer with us, his inspiration will live on.

Care and arrangements entrusted to Jones Mortuary FD311, telephone 707-263-5389.

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Kelly Lewis. Courtesy photo.


LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Kelly Lynn Lewis passed away surrounded by love on Sept. 8, 2020.

As an organ and tissue donor, she was able to give a second chance at life to several people and enhance the lives of numerous others.

She was born in Ukiah, California, on June 4, 1961, but lived in Healdsburg from three days old until 1984. She graduated from Healdsburg High School in 1979.

She was a resident of Lake County from 1984 until her passing.

Kelly loved gardening, but despite her best efforts, was completely terrible at it.

She had a wonderful sense of humor and was quick with a smile and had an infectious laugh.

She also loved reading, animals, people, traveling and the ocean.

She is preceded in death by her dad, Bob.

She is survived by her mom, Diane; siblings, Rob (Beth) and Jacquie (Joseph); children, Amy (Dave), Tess (Joe) and Kristy (Josh); and her grandchildren, Devon, Ari, Tara and Jackson.

Due to the current pandemic, a celebration of life will be announced in the spring.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the SPCA or adopting a pet from a shelter.

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