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Monday, 25 November 2024
Obits
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Carroll Allen Mendenhall
Carroll Allen Mendenhall
Sept. 22, 1939 – Aug. 9, 2017
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Carroll passed away peacefully at the age of 77 from complications following a recent stroke.
Born on Sept. 22, 1939, in Upper Lake, Calif., to parents Mark and Hilda Mendenhall.
He was born on the family ranch in the same home he resided in upon his passing on Aug. 9, 2017.
As a descendant of Upper Lake pioneers; Carroll was very proud of his heritage. He grew up on the family ranch and dairy where he acquired his love of animals and learned about work ethics and the family bond.
Carroll went to school in Upper Lake School District and was a 1957 graduate of Upper Lake High School.
In 1961 Carroll enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he served his country with honor and received an honorable discharge in 1967.
Immediately upon his return home, he was needed to manage the family ranch/dairy, as his father had suffered a heart attack and was unable to work.
After his father recovered, Carroll went on to work at various jobs including the Mendenhall Lake County cannery, truck driving for Lake County businesses and a bus driver for Upper Lake School District.
In 1969 Carroll met the “love of his life,” Rosemary (Rigo) Mendenhall. They married on Jan. 16, 1970 (married 47 years)!
In 1974 their family was growing larger so they decided to open their own business, C & R Body Shop, which became a successful business for over 20 years.
At the same time, they became foster care parents and provided loving care to countless children in Lake County.
Carroll was the life of the party! With his gift of gab, love of people and animals, and a heart of gold, he accumulated a legion of friends throughout his lifetime! Add to that; plenty of mischief and a great sense of humor.
Carroll will be missed but not forgotten by all who knew and loved him!
Some of his favorite things in life were his family and friends, passion for cars, oldies music from the 50s and 60s, attending livestock auctions, cruising his 1957 Chevy Bel-Air, quad rides with his grandkids, a good barbecue get-together, The Price is Right and, of course, “Happy Hour”!
Carroll was preceded in death by his parents, Mark and Hilda B. Mendenhall, and infant daughter, Hilda Loraine Mendenhall.
He is survived by; his loving wife of 47 years, Rosemary Mendenhall; his children, Marlene Jurkovich (Mike), Veronica Cruz (Vincent), Sheree Dawson (Rich), Margee Waters (Sean), Carroll Mark Mendenhall (Marcie) and Warren Allen Mendenhall (Sabrina); 21 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; sister, Diane Fridley (John); nephews, Paul and Daniel Fridley; and many cousins, foster kids and legions of loving friends!
A celebration of Carroll’s life for family and friends will be held on Saturday, Sept. 16, at the Mendenhall Ranch, 3225 W. Highway 20, Upper Lake, starting at 1 p.m.
Bring your appetites and stories as we’ll be having a whole hog barbecue, just the way “Pops” liked it! We recommend B.Y.O.B. and a lawn chair.
The Lake County Military Funeral Honors Team and the U.S. Navy will be performing military honors for Carroll’s service to our country.
If inclined, donations can be made in Carroll’s honor to a local chapter of Hospice, FFA, 4-H, veterans association or a charity of your own choice.
Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com.
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John Babbitt
John Vincent Babbitt
July 11, 1936 – Aug. 12, 2017
A private family ceremony was held for John Babbitt who passed away peacefully at his Watsonville, Calif., home this past week.
He had recently celebrated his 81st birthday with his family and friends.
John was born in San Francisco, and for more than 30 years, worked as an electrical engineer, retiring with Edward Enterprises in Newark, Calif.
He served his country in the US Army during the Korean Conflict, and will be remembered as a loving father, devoted friend and lover of animals.
Upon moving to Clearlake in 2000, he enjoyed hiking, kayaking, playing chess and walking with his dog, “Nick.”
John moved to the Watsonville area last year and immediately began to make friends at Valley Heights Senior Community, where he played bridge and enjoyed a hearty breakfast every morning with his usual buddies who agreed that the day should begin with a big breakfast.
He was a sports fanatic and many memories will continue to be shared of his fondness for smoking his pipe (even though it was not allowed there).
He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Anne and Rob Laatsch of Aromas, Calif.; his son and daughter-in-law, Victor and Carol Babbitt of Danville, Calif.; his sister, Diane Flournoy of Reno, Nev.; and his beloved grandchildren, Katie and Claire Laatsch, and Hayley Babbitt.
Any kind acts of charity can be made in his memory to a benevolent animal organization of your choice.
- Elizabeth Larson
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Robert Rumfelt
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Robert “Rob” Paul Rumfelt, was born Dec. 7, 1966, another day that will live in infamy.
Rob was a rebellious child, the type he may have arrested in his current law enforcement career.
At the age of 18, he joined the Marine Corps, a decision that changed his life. The traits he learned in the Corps – honor, courage and commitment – are traits he carried with him throughout his life.
He was a man who could be counted on, his word was as good as gold. He swore to serve his country and his community, but his family was always on the forefront of his mind.
Rob dedicated much of his time to supporting the youth in his community. He took great pride in mentoring troubled youth to change their lives for the better.
He risked his life for many people he didn’t know. He served at an international embassy that was bombed, dragged a fellow Marine from a burning Humvee and, most recently, chainsawed through burning trees to help people escape the flames of the Valley fire.
He had many loves in life. They included his family, the Marine Corps, his law enforcement family, the Raiders, hunting with his dogs, scuba diving, sky diving, good rum and, of course, the pirate life.
He was truly larger than life. He scoffed at the rules and did things his way, which was usually to the extreme. He influenced all who dared to be near him.
He is survived by his wife, Kelly; daughters, Nicole (John) and Brittany; grandchildren, Johnny and Robby; parents, Robert “Bob” and Leslie Rumfelt; mother, Juanita Dickson (Mark); brother, Ron Rumfelt (Samantha); sisters, Melanie Brown (Paul), Gina Yee (Darrell), Gwen Brown (Randy) and Amy; nieces, Sarah, Monique and Madison; and nephews, Shane, Randy (Lil Bear), Jake, Joseph, Wyatt, DeMarcus and DeAngelo.
Semper Fidelis.
Services in Rob’s honor are as follows.
A candlelight vigil will be held at Library Park in Lakeport on Tuesday, Aug. 29, at 8 p.m.
Visitation will be held at Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary in Lakeport on Friday, Sept. 1, from noon to 8 p.m.
A memorial service will be held at Don Owens Stadium at Clear Lake High School in Lakeport on Saturday, Sept. 9, at 10 a.m.
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Gino D. Bonera
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Gino Bonera was born on October 14, 1929, in Fortuna, Calif. His early years were spent working on a dairy farm which he loved.
Gino served in the Army during the Korean War, in the 101st Airborne where he earned a United Nations Service Medal, a Korean Service Medal with a Bronze Star, and the prestigious Purple Heart.
After the Army, he started working for the Arcata Redwood Co. where he stayed for over 20 years. Gino moved to Lake County to enjoy his retirement.
He is survived by his companion, Sue Bonera.
A memorial service will be held at Grace Evangelical Free Church on Live Oak Drive in Kelseyville on Tuesday, Sept. 5, at 11 a.m., with military honors by the Lake County Military Funeral Honors Team.
Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com.
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Rizaline Rosemarie Raymundo
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Rizaline Rosemarie Raymundo, age 88, lived in Lakeport with her daughter Patricia for 16 years. She was originally from San Jose, Calif.
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