Obits

Richard Warren. Courtesy photo.


In Loving Memory of Richard Joseph Warren

Sunrise May 20, 1960 — Sunset April 11, 2025

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Richard (64) was born in Oakland, California, on May 20, 1960, and passed away on April 11, 2025, in Lucerne, California.

Richard joined his parents,Charles Warren and Margaret Warren, along with siblings, Arthur, Karl, Sandi, Margaret, Mary Ann, Robert and David.

He is survived his wife, Darlene; children, Rainy, Sallee, Rebecca, Ricky and Sabrina and their significant others; grandchildren, Michael, Sierra, Madison, Colten, Caleb, Farrah, Avory, Baily, Annica, Denahi, Cali and Aniya; along with many other family members, siblings, nieces, nephews, cousins and many more.

Richard was born and raised in Oakland, California. He enjoyed raising his kids and grandchildren, being around family, working on cars, listening to his oldies, dancing, cooking and barbecuing.

He moved to Lake County with his wife and four children in 1997. Richard was all about his family, willing to give a helping hand to anyone needing help, whether that meant that you needed something to eat or if you needed to lay your head somewhere.

His home was always open. His passion in recent years has been his grandkids. He loved to hang out with them whenever he had the chance.

Richard will be missed by all who loved him. May he sleep with the Angels.

Richard’s services will be held beginning with visitation at 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 23, and continuing all day Thursday, April 24, at the Tribal Hall at 9460 Main St. in Upper Lake.

From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, April 25, at the Tribal Hall, there will be a Rosary, readings from the family and sharing of memories, to be followed by burial at 2 p.m. at Hartley Cemetery, 2552 Hill Road East, Lakeport.

Beverly Van Pelt. Courtesy photo.

CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. — Beverly Jean Van Pelt (nee Ward), aged 90, of Clearlake Oaks, passed away in her home on April 12, 2025.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bill Van Pelt; her father, Donald Ward; her mother, Ellen Vieira; stepfather, Virgil Vieira; and her brothers Richard (a.k.a. Ron) and Stephen Ward.

She is survived by her sister, Donna Hogan; her children, Garth Van Pelt, Dana Van Pelt (Gidget), Don Van Pelt (Margie) and Alison Murray (Doug); as well as her grandchildren, Bradley (Lindsey), Ashley, Kyle (Sharlene), Katie, Kaitlyn (John), Jack, Michael, Bill and Beverly, adopted grandson Khan and his son Bear; great-grandchildren, Harper, Tate, Jillian, Weston, London, Braxton, Madden and one on the way; numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

Beverly was born in Hopland, California on March 3, 1935, and was raised in Ukiah, California. She moved to Lake County in 1979 where she became active in the community. She was a proud member of The Rotary Club of Clearlake and once served as their president.

She enjoyed going to church, gardening, playing the piano and crocheting. Every grandchild, great-grandchild, great-niece, great-nephew has a blanket crocheted by Beverly.

A public memorial will be held at a later date.

To honor Beverly’s memory, donations can be made to the Live Oak Senior Center, P.O. Box 1389, Clearlake Oaks, CA 95423 or The Rotary Club of Clearlake, 14732 Lakeshore Drive, Clearlake Oaks, CA 95422.

Bonnie Mae Feeney. Courtesy photo.
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — It is with profound sadness that her family announces the passing of our precious wife and mother, Bonnie Mae Feeney of Lakeport, on April 14, 2025, in Santa Rosa, California.

Bonnie was born on March 25, 1939, in a private home near Karlstad, Minnesota to Harold Oliver Torkelson and Eleanor Mary Torkelson (Emerson). She was the third of five daughters. The first, Beverly, was stillborn.

After graduating from Karlstad High School, Bonnie attended Mayville Teacher’s college in North Dakota. In 1959, while pursuing her teaching credential she met William Feeney, the dashing young principal of the high school in Mayville. After a whirlwind courtship, they were married on Dec. 19 of that same year.

While still in Mayville, Bonnie gave birth to their first child, a daughter, Kathryn Jane, on Jan. 3, 1961. The following year, she gave birth to a son, John William, on Feb. 18, 1962, in Karlstad, Minnesota.

Later that same year, the young family packed up and moved cross country to Esparto, California, a small town in the Capay Valley near Sacramento, where William had accepted an offer to teach math and science at Esparto High School.

They settled into a small ranch house in an almond orchard just outside of the town. The following year, Bonnie gave birth to her third child, a daughter, Susan Deborah, on Aug. 14, 1963. A couple of years later, they bought their first house in the town of Esparto, a newly built ranch style home on Madison Street.

Bonnie and Bill spent many idyllic years together in Esparto, raising their family. They loved small town life, with its focus on family and community. She was later to recall these years as her happiest.

When the children were a little older, Bonnie went back to college to complete her bachelor’s degree at Sacramento State University. She began teaching at Esparto Elementary, as a substitute teacher, then full time as a fourth grade teacher before becoming a second grade teacher, the age she found she enjoyed the most.

For Bonnie, teaching was a true vocation. She poured her energy and her love into her classroom and her students. She was warm, patient, nurturing, fun loving and much beloved by her students.

In 1977, the family relocated to Lake County. William graduated from law school and set up a practice in Lakeport. In September of that year, Bonnie gave birth to her fourth and final child, Daniel Dominic.

After a few years at home, she resumed teaching, this time as a first/second grade teacher at Kelseyville Elementary, until her retirement in 2004. She loved her time at Kelseyville and her many close friends and colleagues.

Bonnie’s greatest joy and focus was her family. Her 65-year marriage to William, the love of her life, was one of her most profound accomplishments.

She is survived by William, 92; three of her children, Kathryn Douglas of Los Angeles, John Feeney of Lakeport, and Daniel Feeney of Lakeport.

Her beloved daughter Susan Feeney, a former attorney in Lakeport, preceded her in death in 2018.

She is also survived by three of her sisters, Sandra Merrill of Stockton, Maryland; Beverly Everson of Grand Forks, North Dakota; and Susan Torkelson Olson of Minneapolis, Minnesota; three grandchildren, Adam Harold Feeney of Woodland Hills, California, Noah Kalani Yuen of Maui, Hawaii, Makana Ellen Yuen of Lakeport; one great-grandson, Kellan Nathanael Coakley of Lakeport; along with many much loved first cousins, nieces and nephews.

All who knew Bonnie were touched and richly blessed by her presence in their lives. Her calm demeanor, her quiet wisdom, her stoicism, her sense of fun, and her endless, selfless, tireless support for those nearest to her were the foundation and very bedrock of our lives.

We honor and celebrate her life, a life beautifully and flawlessly lived. She leaves an unfillable void. But our admiration and love for her is infinite. As stated in the Song of Songs, love is stronger than death. May God bless and keep her close until we all meet again.

Funeral service will be held at United Christian Parish in Lakeport on Thursday, April 24, at noon with interment to follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery.

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

Donald Nutt. Courtesy photo.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Donald R. Nutt was born Dec. 13, 1954, to Delores and Gordon Nutt.

He passed away surrounded by his family on April 6, 2025.

He is predeceased by the love of his life and high school sweetheart, Debra Nutt.

Donald was known to many as the guy with the cool, fast cars! He had a great passion for showy hot rods, cruising, doing burnouts and fast motors, but he had a greater passion for his wife, Debbie and their three beautiful daughters, Jennifer Taylor (Norm), Stephanie Paiva (Matt) and Kristy Nutt.

He was a proud Dad and amazing Grandpa to Tanner Cole (Hannah), Gage Taylor, Kody Paiva, and a very special Great Grandpa to Adelynn and Ashtynn Cole and Ella Taylor.

Donald worked with PG&E for many years and received an award or two for saving a few lives! He was a hero to many, and an idol to more than we will ever know. Donald's favorite times were spent together with family, camping or barbecuing at the Nutt House that he built from the ground up with Debbie, a gathering place for any occasion! He had quite a legacy of love, lifelong friends and an extremely large family that he made you feel a part of.

His great sense of humor, bright blue eyes and big smile will forever be cherished by all who knew him.

Godspeed, Donald, may your journey to Debbie be faster than the quarter mile.

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

Larry Lang. Courtesy photo.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Larry was born in Gainesville, Florida, on Dec. 13, 1950, to a family of mathematicians.

He died after a heroic battle with cancer on March 22, 2025.

He had a master’s degree and career in telecommunications, working in Silicon Valley.

He was a world traveler and made many friends wherever he went. He was a kind and generous man, soft-spoken and calm but with a great sense of humor and a wonderful smile. He was also known to be very tolerant.

He loved white-water rafting, dogs, old cars, science fiction and technology. Retiring to Clearlake, California, he spent time rebuilding a classic 1940 Buick and taking classes at Woodland Community College in welding and the culinary arts.

He was active in vintage car clubs throughout Lake County. He enjoyed spending time in his boat exploring Clear Lake.

He was a man of many talents and skills and enjoyed doing projects. He was always willing to lend a helping hand.

His was a life well lived and he will be missed by all who knew him, especially by his beloved wife and life partner, Molly Lang.

Patricia Dye-Howell. Courtesy photo.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Patricia Dye-Howell, was born Sept. 25, 1947 in Michigan to her loving parents John and Pat Dye.

Patty, as she was affectionately called by friends and family, passed away on March 27, 2025, after bravely facing down several daunting health issues over the years.

Her will to live was very strong, a reflection of her tenacious soul.

Patty spent a few years of her childhood in Connecticut before her parents moved to Southern California. Patty grew up on the beach and graduated from Newport Beach High School. As an adult she moved to the beach in Oxnard, California, where she would make many lifelong friends.

Patty was a spirited, adventurous woman who was an avid sailor along with her husband of 34 years, James (Jim) Howell. Both were active in the Anacapa Yacht Club in Oxnard, California, for many years, sailing in weekly races and preparing delicious feasts for the many events hosted by the club.

A love of sailing brought Patty and Jimmy together. Patty and Jimmy were introduced by Patty’s brother John and sister-in-law Debbie, who were a part of Jim’s longtime sailing group. It was one particularly beautiful summer day while out sailing on a friend’s 70-foot schooner that they caught each other’s eye. The rest was history.

Patty was a talented cosmetologist. She worked for many years in salons in Newport Beach and Oxnard, California. Patty was ready to shift gears when a client suggested that Patty would make an excellent para educator.

Patty pursued her second career and worked as a para educator for over 20 years with at-risk teenagers in both Oxnard, California and at W.C. Carle Continuation High School in Lower Lake, California. Patty was loved by her students and colleagues. She cared deeply for her students and was always there to lend a loving ear and wise guidance.

Patty and Jim did not have children but they did have a beloved fur baby. One day Jim came home with a rescue dog that appeared to be a purebred chocolate Labrador Retriever. It was love at first sight. Patty named the dog Bosco, after the old chocolate drink. Bosco was their beloved “son” for 14 years. Bosco had a loving effect on everyone and brought Patty a lot of comfort and joy.

Patty loved her home overlooking Clear Lake. Happy to escape the hustle and bustle of southern California she never tired of the beautiful views from her home and the ever present hummingbirds.

Patty had many interests. She was a voracious reader and she loved to travel, especially on cruise ships. She also loved live music and enjoyed many concerts throughout her lifetime.

Patty will be deeply missed by family and friends.

Patty is survived by her husband, James Howell; her brother, John Dye and sister-in-law Debbie Dye of Oxnard, California; and her beloved Aunt Cheri.

Upcoming Calendar

28 May
Potter Valley Project town hall
MOD_DPCALENDAR_UPCOMING_DATE 05.28.2025 5:30 pm - 7:30 pm
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — A town hall will bring together leaders from around the North Coast to discuss the potential decommissioning of the dams in...

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30 May
Harlem Voices Project
05.30.2025 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
LAKEPORT, Calif. — the “Harlem Voices Project,” Clovice Lewis Jr.’s opus work exploring Black cultural history and modern justice through...

MOD_DPCALENDAR_UPCOMING_READ_MORE

31 May
Harlem Voices Project
05.31.2025 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
LAKEPORT, Calif. — the “Harlem Voices Project,” Clovice Lewis Jr.’s opus work exploring Black cultural history and modern justice through...

MOD_DPCALENDAR_UPCOMING_READ_MORE

1 Jun
Harlem Voices Project
06.01.2025 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm
LAKEPORT, Calif. — the “Harlem Voices Project,” Clovice Lewis Jr.’s opus work exploring Black cultural history and modern justice through...

MOD_DPCALENDAR_UPCOMING_READ_MORE

2 Jun
Commercial loan workshop
06.02.2025 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
LAKEPORT, Calif. — Lake County Economic Development Corp. will host a workshop for local entrepreneurs and small business owners looking to secure...

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7 Jun
Redwood Credit Union Shred-a-Thon
06.07.2025 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
LOWER LAKE, Calif. — Redwood Credit Union invites Lake County residents to be proactive and attend its annual free Shred-a-Thon.

The event will be held...

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7 Jun
Cobb Mountain Forest Summit
06.07.2025 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
COBB, Calif. — Residents, forestland owners, and fire and forestry service business owners are invited to attend the first Cobb Mountain Forest...

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23 Jun
Commercial loan workshop
06.23.2025 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm
CLEARLAKE, Calif. — Lake County Economic Development Corp. will host a workshop for local entrepreneurs and small business owners looking to secure...

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