Obits
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Ronald Martin, beloved husband of Eileen Martin, father, friend, member and church leader of Saint John's Episcopal Church, Lakeport, passed away on Nov. 21, 2015.
He was born in Steubenville, Ohio, on Jan. 17, 1936, to George and Ruth Martin.
His family, including Ron's brother, David, lived in both Ohio and West Virginia. They moved frequently back and forth between the two states to keep a close relationship with both paternal and maternal grandmothers. Ron took pleasure in describing what life was like then and in telling stories of the hijinks and mischief he got into while he was growing up.
When Ron was 14, his father found work at Kaiser Steel and his family moved to Fontana, Calif. His brother Michael was born there.
He met his wife Eileen in Fontana. They were married on May 1, 1956, and were inseparable for the next 59 years.
Ron followed in his father's footsteps and took a job at age 18 with Kaiser Steel where he worked as an electrician. He also worked in the high desert small town of Ora Grande at a cement factory.
He and Eileen moved to Kelseyville when he was hired at Homestake Gold Mine where he became a general foreman. He retired in 2003. Ron served in the Coast Guard Reserve.
Ron loved trains and helping others in any way he could. He was a leader of the Sea Scouts and both Boy and Cub Scout troops.
Over the years he faithfully served Saint John's Episcopal Church as both Junior and Senior Warden, in a variety of liturgical roles including Licensed Lay Preacher, and in countless hours of finding ways to make people's lives better with the food pantry and other ministries.
Ron served as chaplain to the Kelseyville Fire Department and at Sutter Lakeside Hospital, where he spent many nights at the bedsides of patients offering encouragement and prayers.
Ron was preceded in death by his son George and granddaughter Laci. He is survived by his wife Eileen, their children Roleen, Teresa and Robert, seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
His memorial service will be held on Jan. 17, 2016, at Saint John's at 10 a.m. on what would be his 80th birthday. Holy Eucharist will be held at this time.
Donations for the family can be sent to Saint John's Episcopal Church, 1190 N. Forbes St. Lakeport, CA 95453.
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Richard Daniel O’Brien
May 26, 1928 – Nov. 29, 2015
LAKEPORT, Calif. – Born May 26, 1928, in San Mateo, Calif., to Daniel and Freda O’Brien, Richard O'Brien passed away at Rocky Point Care Center in Lakeport on Nov. 29, 2015.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Roseline M. O’Brien, and sons, Mike and Dan O’Brien.
He is survived by his brother-in-law, Bud LaFayette, and niece, Suzie LaFayette of Woodland; his daughters, Kim White (Barry) and Erin Norton (Mark); grandchildren, Jared Norton (Christy), Jessica Walker (Dylan), Josh White (Jami) and Danielle O’Brien; and great-grandchildren Tera and Aubrey Norton, Elizabeth and Alexandra Walker, and Brayden White.
He was an auto and marine mechanic all his life, a woodworker and model airplane enthusiast from childhood until after retirement. He also enjoyed ocean fishing.
He always put his family first and was a very kind and loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather.
He and his wife started the summer journeys from Redwood City to “Shady Haven” on Clear Lake in the 1950s.
We are thankful for many fond memories of summers, friends, family, boating and skiing. We will miss his presence and his great sense of humor.
Per his wishes, there will be no services.
Many thanks to all the staff at Rocky Point for their love and care of Richard and Roseline, and especially to Dr. Gary Maes for his steadfast care and support.
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- Written by: Editor
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – John K. “Jack” Willey, age 94, passed away at home surrounded by his family on Sept. 23, 2015, in Clearlake Park.
Jack is survived by his children, John Baines Willey and Mary Jo Garrett, of Clearlake; his grandchildren, Nicole (Danny) McKay of Clearlake, Joel Garrett, Jennifer Garrett and Lenny Steinmetz (Melinda), all of Clearlake Park, Michele Steinmetz (Stan) of Indianapolis, Ind., and Danny Steinmetz (Marie) of Rocklin, Calif. He also has eight great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Elizabeth “Beth” Willey in August of 1995.
Jack was born on Nov. 26, 1920, in Hanley, Saskatchewan, Canada to parents Arthur Willey and Cora Lee (Martin) Willey.
In May 1944, he joined the U.S. Army and was assigned to the 339th Infantry Regiment as a Light Machine Gunner.
During his two years in the Army he was deployed to Po Valley, Northern Apennines, North Africa and Northern Italy. He was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, the WWII Victory Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. He is truly a hero of the “Greatest Generation.”
Jack, whom his family called “Papa,” was a great family man, and a loving father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He married Beth in San Francisco and the couple raised their children in Pacifica, Calif., where they lived until they moved to Clearlake Park in 1982.
Upon his honorable discharge from the Army, Jack had a 44-year career with Bethlehem Steel in San Francisco, as a welder, a welding supervisor and retiring as a department head.
Jack was a social, active man, and he and Beth were involved in the Veterans of Foreign Wars for many years, of which he was a lifetime member. He was also a member of The American Legion and the Loyal Order of the Moose.
He enjoyed spending time with his family, and cherished his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His family and friends will always remember him as a very generous person and a man who loved to smile and tell stories of his travels all over the United States and Canada.
Jack and Beth were very graceful dancers and are now dancing together in the hereafter. His family will miss this wonderful man who was loved and admired by many.
Jack will be interred with his wife at Skylawn Memorial Park in San Mateo, Calif.
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