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Ray Snyder. Courtesy photo.


MARION RAY SNYDER
‘RAY’
JULY 16, 1939 – JULY 9, 2019

Ray passed away peacefully July 9, 2019.

He was born in 1939 in Enid, Oklahoma, to Leroy and Goldie Snyder (Johnson). In 1942 the family moved to Long Beach, California and that is where he grew up with his four brothers and two sisters.

Around 1955 Ray began his career as an iron worker, Shopmans Union in LA and Arizona and Locals 416 and 378. He loved his job.

In the early 1980s Ray moved to Kelseyville, California, and bought a walnut business on Bell Hill Road, Snyder Ranch. He eventually expanded the company with the help of his family to Lake County Walnuts Inc. If he wasn’t talking about his nuts, he would either be playing a card game at the local casino or be talking with friends at the Brick Tavern (his favorite bar), especially the coffee club in the mornings. Ray also enjoyed fishing in the Sacramento river and the ocean.

Ray will remain in our hearts and will never be forgotten.

Ray is survived by his wife, Michelle Snyder (Posner); sons, Jason Snyder of Kelseyville, Craig (Joanne) of Nice and Mark (Pierrette) of Forest Ranch; five grandchildren, Charleena, Brandon, Justin, Kayla and Brian; six great-grandchildren, Amiah, Kaden, Fallen, Zayrin, Elizabeth and Colin; sister, Doris of Long Beach; brother, Jerry of Garden Grove; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life will be held Aug. 10 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Clear Lake Riviera Clubhouse, Kelseyville.

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

PETALUMA, Calif. – Rick Andrew Melin passed away due to natural causes at his home in Petaluma on June 6, 2019.

He was born in San Francisco, California, on Jan. 29, 1955, to Jack and Joyce Melin.

The family moved in 1971 to Novato, where Rick and four younger siblings lived.

Rick went to school and became a professional painter. Rick then moved to Petaluma in 1985. Later in life he drove a taxi cab just like his father did when Rick was young.

Rick loved to ride his Harley Davidson mostly along the Sonoma and Marin backroads. He collected football and baseball cards, stamps and coins. He was also very proud of his old bottle collection and celebrity autographs. He loved all kinds of music, fishing and spending time with friends.

Rick was never married and never had children but was a proud loving uncle to a niece and two nephews.

Rick had a smile and twinkle in his eye that brightened the room. He will be missed by so many people including his closest friends Harley and Dixi K. and John D.

Rick was preceded in death by his mother, father, two younger brothers and beloved niece.

He is survived by two younger sisters, Jackie and Nancy of Clearlake Oaks, and two nephews.
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Alicia Guardado. Courtesy photo.


Alicia Julia Guardado passed away on July 19, 2018, in San Francisco, California, after complications with various chronic medical conditions. Alicia was 41.

She is survived by her children, Victor Guzman and Adrianna Guardado; beloved pets, Bella, Jamal and Mistie; mother, Ada Fogal; and siblings, Laticia Guardado, Ada Guardado, Kenneth Guardado, Vanessa Guardado and Georgina Marie Guardado.

While she left this life nearly a year ago, an obituary was not written until just recently due to the shock of her sudden loss of life and the need for her family to process this loss.

Alicia was loved dearly and deeply by her friends, family and nursing colleagues. She was a graduate from the Mendocino College Nursing Program and worked as a Registered Nurse at the Adventist Health Clearlake Hospital, a position she worked so passionately for until she was no longer physically able to.

Alicia’s main lot in life was to provide for and support her children yet she also supported many children in the community by volunteering for the local 4-H program, and working for the Lake County Big Brother Big Sister program for many years, acting as a friend and mentor to many foster youth.

Alicia lived her life with a positive and free-spirited mentality, always ready to venture to new places, drive to Tahoe for snow, road trip to the beach, or enjoy time at home watching movies, sewing, reading and playing sudoku.

Alicia was a devoted and loving mother, her children being the main love and focus in life. As a mother she provided unconditional love, support and humor to her children. As a daughter, she provided love, honesty and sanctuary for her mother. As a sister, she was a best friend, a second mother, a role model and a critical figure of support no matter what the crisis or situation was. She was always there for her siblings without judgment and without any expectations of gaining anything in return.

Her home was a safe haven for many, whether family or friends or neighborhood animals who needed comfort and shelter. All who know Alicia can offer testament to how she always put the needs of others before her own. We who know her personally have and can learn to cherish this life, act with kindness, and live by her example, no matter the hardships nor illnesses we may experience. We share gratitude in being able to share this life with Alicia and will continue living on, with, and for her.

A memorial to celebrate her life is planned for Friday, July 19, from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Lake County Fairgrounds Junior Building, 401 Martin St. in Lakeport.

The celebration will include a potluck and all friends, family, acquaintances and colleagues of Alicia’s are welcome.

Attendees are encouraged to bring flowers, photos, or keepsakes in honor of Alicia and to add to alters that will be created at the memorial.

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Russell Norton. Courtesy photo.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Russell “Russ” F. Norton was born in Kelseyville on February 19, 1925.

He was the youngest of three sons born to Fred Henry and Bonnie (Denio) Norton. He was descended from the pioneer family of Charles and Sarah Piner who settled in Kelseyville in 1861.

A life-long resident of Kelseyville, Russ died at his home on July 13, 2019, after a long and rewarding life of 94 years.

One of just five classmates, he graduated from Kelseyville Union High School and enlisted in the US Navy in 1943.

After World War II he returned home and joined the family business, Norton Motors, a fixture in downtown Kelseyville, which started as a Ford agency by his father Fred in 1923.

In 1946 Russ married Carol White at the White family home, now the Saw Shop Restaurant.

With the arrival of the Korean War when he was recalled to active duty, he and his family moved to Pennsylvania, where he served until 1953. He became a lieutenant and completed his service in the Navy Reserve in 1959.

When they returned to Kelseyville Russ and Carol settled back into their home on Third Street, where they raised their three children. He also went back to the family business, joining his brother Howard in the operation of what was then a Dodge dealership.

In 1959 when Howard left to pursue another career, Russ became the sole owner. In 1970 Russ added Chrysler/Plymouth to the Dodge dealership. His son Mark joined him at Norton Motors in 1972, where they worked together until 1987 when Russ retired.

His adored wife of 50 years, Carol White Norton, predeceased him in 1997. He is also predeceased by son-in-law Pete Jerome, daughter-in-law Erin Norton and great-granddaughter Brionna Jerome.

Russ is survived by his son, Mark Norton of Red Bluff; daughters, Pam Jerome of Lakeport and Margie Mitten (son-in-law Ben) of Kelseyville; 11 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

He is also survived by his devoted partner of 20-plus years, Jan Alexander.

The family home was always open to fun-filled gatherings for swimming, barbeques, weddings, reunions, dinners and holiday celebrations. Russ loved being with family and friends.

In that family tradition a celebration of life is being held at his home 5180 Third St., Kelseyville, on Saturday, July 27, from noon to 4 p.m.

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Bette Gillett. Courtesy photo.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Bette Antoinette Gillett of Riviera Heights, Kelseyville, California passed away at her home on June 16, 2019. She was 96 years old.

She was born in Yokohama, Japan, on Dec. 24, 1922, to US Navy Chief Yeoman John and Lydia Harshaw. She spent her younger years with her family living in China and the Philippines.

Later Bette, known as Toni by her family and friends, was raised in San Francisco and attended Lafayette Elementary, Presidio Junior High, George Washington High School and graduated from Academy of Presentation in 1941.

In 1937, she and her friends walked across the Golden Gate Bridge on its opening day. She also worked at the International Exposition on Treasure Island and for a short time at Pan-American Airways.

In 1941, she married the love of her life, 2nd Lieutenant Harry R. Gillett, US Army Air Corps and shared their lives together for 53 years.

As an Air Force wife for 25 years, Toni lived in many places across the US, including Japan and Norway. Raising three children at various Air Force bases became the routine. During this time, she loved playing tennis, traveling, volunteering and snow skiing with her family.

After Harry‘s retirement in 1964 as a colonel in the Air Force, Toni and Harry settled in Menlo Park, California, where she loved Bay Area living. She also enjoyed working with the Crippled Children’s organization of Palo Alto.

After the passing of her husband in 1994, 13 years later Toni moved to Kelseyville, California to be near her children.

Toni was our beautiful loving mother with a wonderful sense of humor, goodwill and loving nature! She will be in our hearts forever!

She is survived by her sister, Jeannette Mavor of Chico; her three children, Harry Gillett Jr., Richard ( son-in-law) and Judy Michaels of Kelseyville, and Linda Frechette of Colorado; her grandchildren, Cheryl Scovell of North Carolina, Jeff Michaels and wife, Victoria Johnson of Kelseyville and Jenny and Christie Frechette of Colorado; and three great-grandchildren, Amanda, Allison and Adam Scovell of North Carolina plus many cousins, nieces and nephews.

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

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Stacy Patricia Miller nee (Smith), 53, passed away on Sunday, July 7, 2019, in her home in Kelseyville, California. She joins her Mother Donna Mae Smith and her father Gerald Smith in eternal rest.

Stacy was born in Mountain View, Calif., on Dec. 4, 1965, where she grew up. She attended Lynbrook High School in San Jose, Calif., receiving her diploma in 1984. She held various jobs until she landed her dream job at animal hospitals as receptionist and animal whisperer.

Stacy married the love of her life Scott Miller in 1995. They lived in Fremont and San Martin. Then in 2001 they moved to Lake County, Calif., to build their dream home and wonderful lives with their fur-family of horses, kitties, and numerous doggies.

She was a kind and generous soul, always willing to help anyone in need. She loved living in the country, visiting with friends and family, floriculture design, crafting, and watching her favorite TV shows with a full Bubba-cup of Diet Pepsi. She liked shopping, shoes and purses. Amazon was her fav.

While living in Lake County, she landed her dream job working at two veterinary hospitals, whispering to every animal who crossed her path. She contributed frequently to many animal rescue groups and rescued a few herself. Her generosity spread to numerous clinic customers who could not afford medical treatment for their furbabies.

Stacy is survived by her husband of 25 years, Scott Alan Miller; her older brother, Kirt Smith of Sacramento; her Godmother, Alice Ackley Survis of Henderson, Nevada; her best friends and soul sisters, Barb Mogni aka “The Estabunny” and her husband Dave of Ferndale, California, Sandy Crandell and her husband Marc of Layton, Utah and Linda Turner and son Brian Turner of Henderson, Nevada; soul-bro, Al Ackely of Lake Las Vegas, Nevada, and numerous extended family and friends.

She will be forever remembered as a cheerful, loving and lovable person who was always ready with a smile, a laugh, a hug and encouraging words. Stacy, you are already greatly missed.

Visitation will be held at Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary on Tuesday, July 16, from 4 to 7 p.m. in Lakeport. A private graveside service will held at Ferndale Cemetery Extension in Ferndale. A celebration of life will be announced at a future date for friends and family.

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

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