Bonnie Gaylene Bonnett passed away at home one year ago, on May 22, 2023, of cancer in the company of her family.

She was born April 1, 1954, in Hampton, Virginia to Thomas and Gaylene Knight Bonnett.

The family lived in Hampton until moving to Colombia, South America, where her father was stationed for two years as a major in the Army until his untimely death in an airplane crash when Bonnie was 9 years old.

She moved back to Hampton by way of family in North Carolina with her mother, sister and brother.

In 1964, her mother married Frederick J. Hines, an electrical engineer for NASA. “Poppy Fred” was thereafter a beloved stepfather to the three kids and, later, grandchildren.

Bonnie graduated from Bethel High School and ultimately decided on a career in nursing. By her own amused admission, she attended at least eight colleges before receiving her Bachelor of Science in nursing from Sonoma State University in 1989.

In supporting herself through college, the job she was fondest of was running copy at the Richmond Times-Dispatch newspaper.

While attending Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond in 1976, she lived downstairs from Peter Stanley, who later became her husband. They both remember a Joan Baez concert as one of their first dates.

On his graduation, they moved together to Worcester, Massachusetts, where she worked in the surgical ICU and then as a visiting nurse. She had fond memories of going to the Irish pub with co-workers after work.

In 1981, they moved to California, landing in Lakeport in 1983 by way of Los Angeles and Santa Rosa. They married in 1982 in her parents’ Hampton backyard.

In Lakeport, she became very involved with maternal-child health, teaching prenatal classes, teaching child health and nutrition at Mendocino College, being a maternal-child health educator with Lake County Public Health and working in an obstetrician’s office.

Bonnie bonded especially with the Hispanic community, being fluent in Spanish from her two years in Colombia as a child, and subsequent language and cultural studies. This bond enriched her relationships with her clients and employers throughout her career.

For the last 20 years of her career, she worked for Easter Seals with kids aged birth to 3 with disabilities, initially as an early interventionist and ultimately as the director of the Lake County office. Her greatest joy remained home visits, getting on the floor with little ones to evaluate their needs and to educate the parents on techniques that help their children adapt and develop.

Bonnie was a devout Catholic, which underpinned much of her work and relationships with others. She was very active in her church, St. Mary’s in Lakeport, and felt connected to its community. She especially liked being a part of the music at St. Mary’s, sometimes being the solo member of the choir.

She enjoyed supporting her kids, including as a swim team mom with the Channel Cats, clogging with her girls as part of the Clear Lake Clikkers and as a long-time member of the School Site Council.

She loved to sing and enjoyed being part of the Sweet Adelines, rehearsing every week and putting on performances around the lake. Her other joys included working in the garden, sewing, and cooking.

Bonnie’s biggest love was her family. She leaves behind her husband, Peter; her children, Jacob (April and granddaughter Leora), Rachel (Melissa) and Elena (Jon); sister, Susie (Robyn); brother, Jeb (Shay); and many nieces, nephews and other extended family.

On the anniversary of her death, May 22, we will have a brief ceremony with unveiling of her headstone at 6 p.m. at Hartley Cemetery in Lakeport, after which people are welcome to join us at our home to share memories.

‘Penny’ Sequeira
May 15, 1941 – May 04, 2024

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Penelope Sequeira “Penny” passed away on May 4, 2024, just shy of her 83rd birthday.

Penny came to Lake County when she was 33 years old and fell in love with Clear Lake. She moved her young family here shortly thereafter and stayed for 49 years.

Penny co-owned the Green Acres Resort in Lakeport, California, with her husband. They eventually sold it, but Penny continued to work as a bookkeeper and admissions specialist at Lakeport Skilled Nursing for 10 years and before that, she was a bartender at the bowling alley and various other establishments around the lake.

Penny was an amazing mom, a loyal friend and a good woman. She lived life “her way” and loved life in general. The lake, the outdoors, her friends and family all brought her joy. Penny had a knack for seeing the bright side and inspires us all to do the same.

Her only surviving son, Steven (Jenelle) will miss her beyond measure, along with her best friend, Bobbi Campbell. She also leaves behind two grandchildren, Nicole and Cole; and her cat, Muffin.

A celebration of life will be planned in the future. Please contact her son Steven for further details.

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

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Loving mother, wife and forever filled with wonderment; Michelle Beers’ love of life did not come to an end with her death.

Michelle passed April 4, 2024, at the age of 53 after a courageous battle with cancer, with her husband Bill Beers and dearest friend Karen Fassler by her side.

The simple pleasures in life brought the greatest joy to Michelle. She loved the breeze casting off the ocean, was enamored by tree frogs, loved her German shepherds Bear and Jack with her entire heart, and even found a fondness for skydiving just months before her passing.

She was an avid night sky observer, making sure to catch each and every meteor shower while encouraging her children to find the beauty in astronomy as they gazed by her side.

Her curiosity didn’t extend to the skies alone, as her favorite pastime was exploring the hillsides for Lake County diamonds after the sun would reawaken behind passing rain storms.

Michelle had an uncanny way of keeping her childlike wonder and contagious humor even in the harshest of life’s moments. She loved smiley faces which was simply befitting as she would always seek any reason to smile, even in the darkest of times.

Her love of the natural world and inherent curiosity live on within her three children, Chelsea, Cody and Cory, and she is survived by her husband and loving mother Beverly Pavlischek.

Though the world is left dimmer in her passing, her light shall continue to shine on.

Carolyn Marion Henderson
April 25, 1927 — April 25, 2024

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. — Carolyn M. Henderson left us on her 97th birthday. She was a fourth generation member of the pioneer Merritt family who settled in Big Valley in 1871.

Her ancestors owned and farmed the land along the south side of Merritt Road from Adobe Creek to the top of the hill. Her grandfather, Fred Merritt, went into politics, serving first as county assessor, then county clerk for over 20 years. Her mother, Marion Merritt Fraser, lived most of her life on the ranch property, but her career was teaching art and mechanical drawing predominantly at Clear Lake High School.

Carolyn and her older brother, Merritt, grew up on the Merritt Road ranch, which was planted by then in pears and walnuts instead of grain. Carolyn said that it was so quiet in the valley back then that she could sometimes hear the train whistle from Hopland.

She attended local schools, skipping third grade, and graduated with a scholarship to U.C. Berkeley. However, after one year of college she met Robert L. Henderson and married him in the fall of 1945. He was the only child of Lewis Homer Henderson and grandson of Lewis Henderson, one of Lake County's first commercial pear growers.

Bob and Carolyn raised three daughters — Diane, Christine and Melissa — on the original Henderson home ranch in Kelseyville where Bob continued to farm pears. They bought more pear orchards and mountain properties, and Carolyn learned to hunt, fish, ride horses and shoot trap. She learned to haul horses for her girls' Junior Horsemen activities and 4-H animals for the fair. In addition, she became a founding member of the Lake County Chapter of California Women for Agriculture, or CWA.

Following Bob's premature death in 1980, Carolyn not only continued the family farming operation, but also served on the board and one year as president of the former Kelseyville Packing Co. In addition she served as industry representative for the California Tree Fruit Agreement doing radio and television work promoting pears.

In 1982 daughter Diane left a teaching position at Cuesta College in San Luis Obispo to come home and help with the farming. She bought her own orchard to add to the home ranch and within a few years became Carolyn's ranch manager. They made a good team and the ranch survived some rough times and became increasingly productive.

In 1984 Carolyn married Edward A. "Skip" Rohner, a long-time family friend who had also lost his spouse. Together they enjoyed 39 years of hunting, fishing, trapshooting, traveling and entertaining. They greatly enjoyed music and danced beautifully together.

Carolyn also loved reading, crosswords, tennis, swimming, gardening and feeding the assorted wild birds around her home.

She was stoic in the face of hardships and did her best to look for the positives in life. She had grit — or what she would call "gumption." She never gave up, that is until she lost Skip.

Carolyn is survived by her daughter, Diane Lee Henderson; grandson, Lee Alan Yecny; son-in-law, Alan Keith Yecny; and a niece, two nephews, and several great- and great-great-nephews and nieces.

She was predeceased by her daughters, Christine Henderson Yecny and Melissa Henderson; her granddaughter, Lynn Annette Patten; and her grandson, Keith Henderson Yecny.

A graveside service will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, May 31, in the pavilion at Kelseyville Cemetery. It will be a combined service for both Carolyn and husband Skip Rohner.

Following the service there will be a gathering for refreshments and stories at The Ripe Choice Farm located at 2550 Soda Bay Road.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Martha Stokes Panella Scholarship Fund, which benefits students of Kelseyville High School, or donate to a charity of your choice. To donate to the fund, send a check made out to U.S. Charitable Gift Trust and designate the Martha Stokes Panella Memorial Scholarship Fund. Mail to Strong Financial, P.O. Box 670, Lakeport, CA 95453.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Carol Mostin was born in Alhambra, California, on April 18, XXX and passed away in Clearlake, California, on April 8, 2024. She suffered complications from a broken hip.

Carol was a lifelong Californian, moving to Lake County in 1990. Carol was a child of the World War II era, and it had an impact throughout her life.

Carol was born to Lucien Vincent and Dorothy Anderson and she grew up in Alhambra, graduating from Alhambra High School in 1949.

When her parents divorced, she lived with her paternal grandparents, as her mother went to work at a defense plant helping to build airplanes for the war.

She and her brother Richard suffered from this two-year separation from their mother, but it was unavoidable at the time. When their mother married Ralph Craig, not only were the children finally with their mom and a stepdad, but also two aunts whose husbands were injured in the war and three children as well. Her parents had rented a very large house and it was full.

In 1946 her mother had a third child, Gail. Carol was enamored with the baby sister and doted on her. She was the consummate big sister.

In 1950, the immediate family purchased a home in Whittier, at which time Richard moved to San Diego to live with his father.

Carol went to work in a bakery where she learned cake decorating, and she became most accomplished, sharing this with friends and family her whole life. She and her mother also worked at Carrillo’s Mexican Restaurant for a few years.

Carol graduated from Mt Sac Community College with a degree in secretarial administration. In a subsequent job she was asked to make several oral presentations, but she was petrified of public speaking. She worked on that by taking a Dale Carnegie Course where she successfully overcame her fear.

Carol married Richard (Dick) Hull in 1953 and they had two children, Stephen Richard and Marilyn Marie. At the end of this marriage in the late 60s, Carol and children lived in Orange County primarily.

During this time as a single parent, Carol attended Orange Coast Community Church and it was there she met Gloria McManus, thereafter a life long friend.

Carol, Gloria and Marilyn sang in the choir and Carol managed the church nursery. Babies were high on Carol’s love list.

At this time also, Carol and Gloria gave loving continuous care for a paraplegic friend, Lynn. Carol has been a good friend to many over the years. Her kind heart reached far and wide.

Carol and Frank Metzler met in the 1980s. He retired from the Teamsters and they married in November 1982. Carol took his four grown children and several grandchildren under her wing. His youngest daughter Gwen and Carol were especially close. Before long Frank and Carol moved to Lakeport to help out aging parents, Dorothy and Ralph Craig. They built a beautiful home overlooking Clearlake.

This was a very happy time at first, fixing up their home and large yard (Carol loved gardening), helping her parents, riding on the lake in Frank’s boat and entertaining grandchildren in the summers. Grace EV Free Church and the summer camp became a highlight.

On Aug. 28, 1988 tragedy struck, when Carol’s son Stephen, who was serving with the Air Force as a master sergeant and overseas communications officer, was badly injured. He was attending an air show in Ramstein, West Germany when three jets collided, one crashing into the crowd. Burning debris scattered all over the field and Stephen was badly burned. He died later at the Texas Brooks Army Medical Center. He was 32 years old and buried with full military honors.

Marilyn presented Carol with two precious grandsons, Christian Vincent Boeri and three years later Michael Angelo Boeri. They and Christian’s daughters, Tessa and Nicolette, have been the light of Carol’s life. The boys have fond memories of church camp summers and loving time with their grandparents.

Carol started a real estate career in 1992 at Coldwell Banker Town and Country in Lakeport. In June 1998 she joined ReMax Lake County. She became a beloved member of their team. Carol’s ethics and professionalism earned her many long term loyal clients and her friendship with Laura Hall-Santarnelli grew. Her dedication to her clients won her many awards including the Executive Club and 100% Club. She also always contributed to the Children’s Miracle Network from every closed escrow.

Carol and Frank had many years of fun, however, it became apparent that Frank was suffering from memory issues which developed into Alzheimer’s. Carol kept him home caring for him 24/7 for many years before placing him in memory care and even then attending to him morning and night. Frank died in early 2000.

Carol knew several members of the Mostin family through church, and it was this connection that brought Ray Mostin into her life. They had each cared for a spouse for a number of years and looked forward to a new adventure together in 2008.

Carol loved the land, flowers and garden, where she could be found most days. She and Ray spent time in Los Cabos with her sister and brother-in-law. They were also able to take a few other trips, but truly enjoyed their life among the pear orchards with their cats and dog Lilly. Carol was always ready for another ball game when Lilly asked.

The Mostin Family, both young and old, had many family gatherings and Carol felt cared for and appreciated. She enjoyed cooking and entertaining.

Carol was the best big sister. She was a loving person, outstanding businesswoman and loyal friend.

Carol is preceded in death by husband, Ray; her son, Stephen; her parents, Dorothy and Ralph Craig; and her brother, Richard Vincent. She is survived by her sister, Gail Rupp, and brother-in-law Chuck; daughter, Marilyn Boeri; grandsons, Christian Vincent Boeri and wife Jamie, and Michael Angelo Boeri; great-granddaughters, Tessa and Nicolette Boeri; and four stepchildren, Gary Metzler, Gale Garfield, Gregg Metzler and Gwen Deck.

The family offers its thanks to Hospice Services of Lake County for their loving care of our precious Carol.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 9, at Kelseyville Presbyterian Church, 5340 Third St., with a reception to follow.

Roland “John” Eckhardt Jr., born March 23, 1942, in Oakland, California, to Roland and Winifred Eckhardt, passed away March 15, 2024, in Lincoln, California.

His family moved to Clearlake Oaks in 1945 where John grew up early working in his dad’s automotive shop, “Roland’s Garage.”

He joined the Clearlake Oak fire department at 16 as a volunteer. He graduated from Lower Lake High School in 1960 where he was student body president.

He joined the Clearlake Fire Department in 1968 (Lakeshore Fire Protection District) and retired as deputy chief in 2002. He was on the Redbud Hospital Board from 1996 until 2005, Highland Water Board from 1982 till 2021, was a Mason since 1968 and was an Elk since 1971.

He loved hunting, fishing, boating, RVing, motorcycles and was a car enthusiast.

John and Denise moved to Lincoln in 2018.

John was a devoted husband, father and friend.

He will be dearly missed by those he left behind, including his wife of 47 years, Denise; sons and daughters-in-law, John Eckhardt III (Diel), Dale Eckhardt (Michelle) and Mathew Eckhardt (Tammy); daughter, Angela Haen; his sister, Betty Fredericksen; eight grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

His sister Judy Gray preceded him in death.