Obits
- Details
- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
She was born March 28, 1931, in Lakeport to Jesse and Edna Swanson.
Gloria grew up in Lakeport and as a teenager she worked as an usher at the Lakeport Movie Theatre, where she met her future husband, Glenn.
Gloria married Glenn L. Wilds on Jan. 20, 1950. They had three children and 60 years of marriage where they enjoyed life working, playing, dancing, hunting, fishing and traveling together, just to name a few.
After marriage, Gloria spent her entire life raising their family and working on their ranch in Big Valley. She was an expert seamstress and after spending her days working on the ranch, at night, she would take in sewing for people to help ends meet. Gloria was also a sewing leader for the local 4-H Club.
She spent many summers cutting fruit at the Adobe Creek Dry Yards. There was nothing Gloria could not do. She operated every piece of farm equipment including a Caterpillar tractor. She could not only keep up with the best, she was usually leading the group.
Gloria could build anything she set her mind to. She grew a garden large enough to provide food to lots of families in the valley. She would spend days making walnut pies and delivering them to family, friends and neighbors during the holidays.
She was among the first to volunteer at the Lakeport Volunteer Fire House back in the day, making sandwiches to be delivered to the volunteer firemen out on the fire line. She was employed for many years by the Westlake Soil Conservation Office.
Gloria taught many children how to swim, not only her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, for several years she provided swimming lessons to the students from the Lakeport Elementary School in the pool at the Clear Lake High School. She also taught many adults how to swim, she enjoyed it immensely. She volunteered at the Kelseyville Methodist Church Thrift Shop weekly for over 30 years.
Gloria is predeceased by her husband, Glenn; son, Daniel; two sisters, Burt and Pandora, as well her three brothers, Frank, Clarence and Clyde.
She is survived by her daughter, Dottie McIntire and son, Mike (Marta) Wilds; grandchildren, Daniel (Wendy) McIntire, Terry (Amber) McIntire, Lisa (Jason) Lykken, Patricia Wilds and Heath Wilds; great-grandchildren, Nolan, Beth (Scott), Shaelyn, Faith, Jessica (Nick), Cassandra, Alexandra, Haley, Dustin and Riley Ann; great-great grandchildren, Ryker, Hayden and Alyssa; and one honorary grandson, Zachary Haas.
Gloria and her dedication to Lake County will be missed very much by her family and all those who knew and loved her.
Graveside funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 7, at Hartley Cemetery.
In Gloria’s memory, the family prefers donations be made to the Danny Wilds 4-H Scholarship, which is now in an endowment, overseen by the University of California. These funds are used to provide a scholarship to the recipient of the Danny Wilds Perpetual Trophy during the Lake County Fair and to provide scholarships for 4-H youth that need assistance in attending the Mendocino-Lake 4-H camp. Donations can be mailed to California 4-H Foundation, 2801 Second St., Davis, CA 95618. The check needs to be made out to the California 4-H Foundation, in the correspondence with the check please be sure to include that you wish the monies go to the Danny Wilds Memorial 4-H Fund. Donations can also be made to the Lakeport Volunteer Fire Department, 445 N. Main St., Lakeport, CA 95453.
For further information call Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com. Please share your memories by signing the guest book at https://chapelofthelakes.com/tribute/details/701/Gloria-Wilds/condolences.html#content-start.
- Details
- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
Alan Dean Morris
‘Duke’
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Alan Dean Morris passed away on Sept. 21, 2024, in his home with his family by his side.
Everyone called him Duke, but his favorite and most important name was Dad or Papa.
He was born Sept. 13, 1933, to Homer and Caroline Morris. He spent his youth in Southern California and Eugene, Oregon where he graduated in 1952.
Duke was drafted into the Army that same summer and was sent to fight in the Korean War.
After the war ended, he returned to California where he met his first wife and the mother of his four sons.
Duke and Joan were married in the summer of 1955. They had their first son, Doug in 1956 and their second son, Craig in 1961 where they lived in Southern California. They moved to Lakeport in 1961. Their third son, Mark was born in 1962 and their fourth son, Jim was born in 1966.
Duke and Joan bought the Bell Haven Resort in Kelseyville, California, in 1971 and ran it until 1995. They met many good friends during that time. They made a lot of memories raising their boys at the resort. During that same time, Duke had a 34-year career at Safeway, retiring in 1989.
Duke enjoyed his hot rods. He loved to buy and sell them but the car runs and car shows were some of his favorite times. Duke was a great skier too. He enjoyed the many winter ski trips with his family.
After becoming a widower, Duke married his second wife, Carolyn in 2000. They continued on with the car runs and car shows.
Duke will always be remembered for the love of his family and for his beautiful landscaped yards. He prided himself on his hard work, honesty and integrity that he has passed down to his sons.
Duke is survived by his wife, Carolyn Morris; his sons, Doug (Pam), Craig (Mary), Mark and Jim (Denise) Morris; his stepson, Joey DiBono (Fernanda); his stepdaughter, Lynne DiBono (Sandro); and his three nieces, Pam Adams, Karen Gough and Lori Heller.
Papa was a legend to his 16 grandchildren and his 23 great-grandchildren.
He is predeceased by his first wife, Joan Morris; his baby daughter, Roxanne; his sister, Sharon Ainsworth; his grandson, Clif Morris; and his parents.
Duke Morris was an amazing man, father, husband, grandfather, brother and uncle. His legacy will be carried on for generations.
The family would like to thank the VA and Hospice of Lake County.
Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com.
- Details
- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
Eric Eberhardt
'Zeke'
Jan. 10, 1940 - Aug. 29, 2024
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Zeke passed away peacefully at his home on Aug. 29, 2024, surrounded by his wife, Cindy Eberhardt, and many loved ones.
He leaves behind his wife, Cindy; sister, Christy Dolan; sons, Alex Eberhardt, Chis Landrum, Tom Landrum and Jim DeCourcy: daughter, Kathleen Erica Eberhardt; as well as the Wayshak and Davis family and many grandchildren, nieces, nephews and longtime friends that he loved.
A huge thank you to both Jason Braden (nephew) and his very special angel, Shenah Smith; without you we could have never made it through this difficult time.
In loving memory of a long life well lived and loved by many. You have impacted many lives and will remain forever in our hearts forever. Hope you're enjoying your wild ride up there big guy!
Gone but never forgotten …
Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com.
How to resolve AdBlock issue?