LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – A great man, James Andrew Tarpley, went to rest with the angels on Dec. 7, 2013.

He has touched so many lives and will be remembered by all.

Jim was the oldest of three children born to Mirl James and Grace Fern Tarpley on July 18, 1937, in La Grande, Ore. He moved to Lake County in the early 1950s.

Jim had many hobbies and jobs. He worked for Tule Lake Bean Farm, drove hops to Hopland, built concrete swimming pools and eventually found his passion as a pump technician.

He was a member of many groups including Lake County Rod and Gun Club, Elk Mountain Gun Club and the Lions Club.

Jim absolutely loved being outdoors. His favorite hobbies were hunting, fishing, camping, collecting guns, flying in airplanes and taxidermy.

He wore many hats, some of them being: volunteer firefighter with the Upper Lake Fire Department, a firearms dealer, a race car driver with his brother Lee and being a hunter safety instructor.

Jim also was one of the best trap shooters in Lake County in the early 1970s and won many awards. He was a very knowledgeable man who loved to read books and fell in love with the Internet.

He successfully owned and operated his own pump company, Jim's Welding and Pumps, for more than 20 years with the help of his two sons, Jimbo and Jeff, his brother Lee, and his grandson Joe.

Jim is preceded in death by his parents, Mirl and Grace; and the mother of his three children and wife of 43 years, Sally Esther Tarpley.

He leaves behind many family members including his wife, Rebekah Tarpley, and her three children, Jeffrey, Miles and Danielle; his sons, Jimbo and Jeff (Mary); his daughter, Debbie (Chris); his brothers, Lee and Ted (Nancy); his granddaughters, Jamie (Joe) and Nikki; his grandsons, Jeffrey, Robert and Tony; his nieces, nephews and great-grandchildren.

There will be a celebration of life for Jim on Saturday, Dec. 21, at 1 p.m. at his son Jeff's house, located at 12130 Elk Mountain Road in Upper Lake. There will be a potluck lunch, so please bring a small side dish and your memories to share with all.

For more information, please contact Jeff at 707-349-8277 or Jamie at 707-349-3737.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – John A. Bernardi passed away at his Kelseyville home Nov. 27, 2013, from cancer.

He was an alumni of Calistoga High School, class of '61, and a graduate of Golden Gate University with a bachelor of science degree in accounting.

Loving husband of Susan Bernardi; loving father of Toni and Tori Bernardi; and loving grandfather to Aiden Bernardi.

He also leaves his mother, Lina Bernardi; brother, Dude (Mary Ann); sister, Phyllis (Tom) Sedlack; and many nieces and nephews.

A celebration of Life will be announced at a later date.

For further information call Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary at 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapeloftelakes.com .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Kevin Merchen, 30, passed away of natural causes while at home on Monday, Nov. 25.

He will be deeply missed by those who knew and loved him.

Despite a lengthy battle with health issues, Kevin never lost his inspiring work ethic and spirit for life.

While his family and friends grieve their loss, they rejoice in his life.

Kevin was an avid sportsman and an accomplished gunsmith. His quick wit, broad smile and sly laugh often accompanied his perfect shot whether that shot was with a ball or rifle.

A fan of anything fast, Kevin enjoyed everything with wheels and spending time with the people he loved.

Born on May 8, 1983, Kevin is survived by his father, Joe Merchen, and mother, Elaine Merchen (Claunch); his brother, Michael Merchen and wife, Heidi Merchen (Reinstein); sister, Tracie Cotteleer (Merchen), and husband, Christopher Cotteleer.

Kevin also is survived by his nieces and nephews Alexis (12), Caitlin (9), Zander (8) and Ryan (7); his granddad, Bernard Merchen, and his grandma, Agnes Claunch (Knox); as well as numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

He is preceded in death by his sister, Laura Elaine Merchen; grandmother, Joyce Merchen (Spencer); and grandfather, Elmer Claunch.

“At the time the young man finally rested, the people wept. In time, the people remembered the quality of the man and rejoiced that they were witness to his life and, that all life was better for him having been part of it.”

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4, at Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 1625 North High St. in Lakeport, followed by burial at Upper Lake Cemetery.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Surrounded by family and wonderful friends, Gayla Whitehead went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2013, after a nine month battle with cancer.

Gayla was born in Topeka, Kansas, on Feb. 28, 1955, to Frank and June Bunce, and moved to Lakeport, Calif., in 1972. She married John Whitehead in 1974.

She was employed in the local construction industry for 35 years, finishing her career as an office manager for Lake Aero Styling at Lampson Field, Lakeport.

Gayla, in addition to her husband and parents, is survived by her daughter, Staci of Topeka, Kansas; her son, Brandon of Vancouver, Wash.; goddaughter, Stacey May Mansell of El Dorado Hills; brothers, Joe (Francis) Bunce of Hidden Valley Lake, Pete (Joni) Bunce of Casper, Wyo., and Jeff Bunce of Topeka; and numerous grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to Hospice Services of Lake County; great friends, Donna Bruch, Paula Connors, Loa Booth and Mike Davidson (and spouses for their understanding); and innumerable others for their wonderful care and compassion during Gayla's illness. Without their help, the task would have been insurmountable.

A celebration of life is planned for a later date.

The family prefers donations to an animal rescue organization of your choice or take the opportunity to pay kindness forward in her memory.

For further information call Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com .

Elizabeth (Betty) Memory

11/17/1923-11/09/2013

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Betty passed from this earth to where the angels are welcoming her home at last.

She was born in Scotts Bluff, Nebraska, and was raised there until finalizing her high school education.

She then relocated to Ukiah, Calif., where she met and fell in love with her husband, Robert.

They were married July 4, 1947, as it was the only day that they both had off from work. They recently celebrated 66 wonderful years of marriage.

Betty was a wonderful mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

She leaves behind her husband, Robert; daughter, Beverley Love (Michael); grandchildren, April Croce (Keith) and Robert Love (Rolyn); and great-grandchildren, Ashleigh, Gabrielle and Landon.

She was predeceased in death by her daughter, Katherine.

She will be greatly missed by her family and all her many friends in Clearlake.

Her family also wishes to thank all the wonderful staff of caregivers who looked after her while at Meadowood Nursing Facility.

Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, at Lower Lake Cemetery, 9040 Lake St.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the charity of your choice in Betty’s name.

Arrangements entrusted to Jones & Lewis Clear Lake Memorial Chapel, Lower Lake.

Mildred Wray Ellis, 96, peacefully passed from this life to the next on Monday morning, Nov. 18, 2013, in Provo, Utah from natural causes, due to her age.

She was born in Hobart, Kiowa County, Missouri on May 28, 1917.

In 1945 she married Randolph Franklin Ellis (deceased). She was a stepmother/mother to Peggy “Joyce” Ellis (Harold Rebeck), Danye Franklin Ellis (deceased), William Harold Ellis (deceased), Timothy Craig Ellis, Penny Kathleen Ellis (Bob Lee), Gary Leonard Ellis (Lee Ann) and Jerry Wayne Ellis (Diann).

Her life was filled with giving service to her family and friends. She loved to attend any event her children/grandchildren/great-grandchildren were participating in – be it sports, music or drama. She loved to bowl and make things with her hands.

She was known for her beautiful smile. Strangers were just friends she hadn’t met yet. New residents at her care center were made to feel at home by her friendly welcome. She could artfully dig out information while innocently playing games with her loved ones.

She was playing games the day before she died when she quietly informed us, “I’m tired. I want to go home.”

She has 32 grandchildren, 58 great-grandchildren and 30 great-great grandchildren.

Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m Tuesday, Nov. 26, at the Kelseyville Cemetery, located at 3375 Bell Hill Road.

For more information, please contact Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary at 707-263-0357.