John Dye. Courtesy photo.

 

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — John Allen Dye left this world to be with our Lord and Savior, on May 8, 2025, surrounded by his family, who sincerely love him.

In his 81 years of age, John touched the lives of many people as an educator at Clear Lake High, a city councilman, a mayor and as a pastor at Upper Lake First Baptist Church.

Growing up in Martinez, California, John learned to love the outdoors as an Eagle Scout. He also loved music and excelled in several sports, becoming a state diver.

John received a master’s degree in government from Sacramento State College. Interning for the speaker of the California State Assembly, he got to work with Gov. Ronald Reagon, before moving to Lake County.

John lived a full and happy life. Even after a major health crisis in 2017, he didn’t let it get him down. John lived life to the fullest and gave it all he was worth.

John is predeceased by his wife, Gerre Dye; his father, Elmer Dye; his brother, Bruce Dye; and his sister, Peggy Donavan.

He is survived by his mother, June Dye; his brother, Steve Dye and his wife, Toni; his daughter, Lisa Olsen; his son, Casey Dye and his wife, Tina; his grandsons, Bo Daskam, Jack Daskam, Cash Dye and Colton Dye; as well as his many loved cousins, nieces and nephews.

John will be greatly missed. He could make anyone feel comfortable and understood with his easy smile and quick laughter.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 14, at Lake County Bible Fellowship located at Seventh and Forbes streets in Lakeport. Reception to follow at Lakeport Yacht Club.

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

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — We are saddened to announce that Melba Fay Reed went to be with the Lord on April 19, 2025, after an illness.

Melba was born to parents Doley and Ruby Booker on Sept. 13, 1937. They moved to Lucerne when she was 10 years old.

She was a loving mother and a good friend who loved to go camping. She worked at the Leaky Tiki.

She loved to play dice with her friends and the casino was one of her favorite places to go and have fun.

Melba Fay Reed will be very missed by everyone who knew her. May she rest in peace.

Melba was predeceased by her husband, Cecil Reed, and son, Richard Reed.

She is survived by her children, Jessica James, Janice Bennight, Katy Reed and Andy Wilson; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren and even great-great-grands.

Celebration of life will be held at the Upper Lake Park on Friday, June 20, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

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

In Loving Memory of
Bobby Kelton Griffin
Jan 13, 1937 – April 8, 2025

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — It is a great honor to gather together today and mark the remembrance of our dad. He loved Clearlake and especially this Lakeport area. He and the love of his life Patricia lived and enjoyed their lives here together.

There was nobody like Bob Griffin, he was a man with an outgoing personality, one who was warm and friendly to everyone he met. He went out of his way to help someone if he saw them struggling to open a door, or needing a helping hand in any way, he would not hesitate to help.

He cared about people and enjoyed talking to them everywhere he went. He enjoyed making people laugh and would not be embarrassed to act weird or crazy, even at the expense of himself. There are so many funny memories of him in this way.

Dad was the last of his siblings, he was the youngest of six, five brothers and one sister: Wayne, Dalton, Jimmy, Vernon, Sammy and Wanda. His parents were Roy and Eddie (Brown) Griffin.

At 88 years old, he had lived a long life. He had tragedies in his life, but he had love and family too. His misfortunes only seem to make him stronger.

He is survived by his loving wife, Patricia; his children, Scott Griffin and wife Gina, his daughter Terri Lewis and husband Rick, his daughter Kim Balchunas and her partner Peter, his son Brent Griffin, his daughter Tawnye Lobbis, and his daughter Jackie Branick and her husband Kevin.

His 10 grandchildren are Jessica, Tara, Christian, Lauren, Shayla, Ariana, Brendon, Marissa, Jared and Sam. His great-grandchildren are Brandon, Jackie, Casey, Walker, Danny, Holly and Dallas.

He considered himself to be very fortunate. He loved everyone the same and that’s what made him such a beloved man. If he could speak to us right now, I think we all agree his words would be, “You’re loved” and “I’m a lucky man.”

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — James Everett Wright joined his beloved wife, Barbara Annette Wright in heaven on May 7, 2025.

He passed at his home in Kelseyville surrounded by his daughter, Becky Herren; granddaughters, Jodi Peters and Chelsie Gray; and his caregiver, “Best Nurse Ever,” Donna Mahurin.

James is best known for his lifelong career with the Lake County Sheriff’s Department, moving through the ranks and becoming the sheriff of Lake County. He was very honored to be a part of the Sheriff’s Department and extremely proud and honored to be able to serve and help the people of Lake County. He served seeking no recognition or reward, he loved this community, and he loved helping people.

His biggest source of pride was his family. His love and dedication to the love of his life, Barbara, and the family they built together was unwavering. In our eyes he is a Superhero that can never be replaced and never be forgotten.

The void left behind is undeniable, but the memories we share are even bigger than the man known as “James, Dad, Papa, Grandpa, Big Jim and Jimmy.” All spoken with so much love and respect.

James is survived by his children, Tim and (Ann) Wright, Elko, NV, Becky Herren and (Dennis West Jr.), Kelseyville, CA, and Bridget McLeran, Colombia, KY; grandchildren, Jodi and (Mike) Peters, Kelseyville, CA, Chelsie and (Justin) Gray, Elko, NV, Wyatt and (Alejandra) Herren, Kelseyville, CA, Cristie Cash and (Chris Kjos), Colombia, KY, Candace Cash, Clearlake, CA, Cody Cash, Colombia, KY; great-grandchildren, Cameron Smith, Siria Peters, Kinley Gray, Ximena Herren, Levi Herren, Antonio and (Shiann) Cash, and Chevelle Gonzales; and great great grand baby Adelia Sue Cash.

He is predeceased by his wife, Barbara A. Wright and foster son, Bruce Cash.

Memorial service will be held at Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary on Monday, June 9, at 11 a.m. with graveside inurnment to follow at Kelseyville Cemetery with military honors.

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

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Cory Edwin Schaefers grew up in Upper Lake, California. He was always doing something fun, from riding dirt bikes to being out on the lake.

As a kid, he fished with his friends and family and ran paper routes with his dad. He wrestled, played baseball and football at Upper Lake High, Class of ’99. Cory never missed a day of school from kindergarten through graduation.

After graduation, he went to Chico State with his closest friends. When his dad passed away, Cory took over Schaefers Distributing, running newspaper deliveries across Lake and Mendocino counties, keeping the family business alive.

Eventually, he met Kara, and together they built a life full of love, humor, family and friends. In recent years, he started hauling materials with his own truck — waking up before the sun and downing strong coffee. He was always up for family camping trips at the lake or in the mountains.

He was most proud of being a husband and a father. Kara, Aimee, Dan and Addi were the heart of his world. He liked to be known as Captain Daddy and made sure everyone else knew it.

Cory had a way of making people feel at ease with his jokes, eye rolls, quick zingers and loud laugh. He was a big teddy bear who could turn a hug into a live-or-die wrestling match or game of mercy. He loved sports, especially the Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco Giants and fantasy football.

His love language was making fun of you. He had a way of making everyone laugh, even when it was at their own expense, and a way of showing up that made people feel like they mattered. As his closest friends would put it: he wasn’t just a good friend — he was everyone’s best friend.

Cory passed away on May 15, 2025, at his home in Upper Lake.

He was preceded in death by his father, Daniel; uncle, Bernie; cousin, Ryan; niece, Charlotte; grandparents, Bernard, Marcella, Marlowe and Treva; and sisters-in-laws, Gina and Melanie.

He is survived by his wife, Kara, and their three children, Aimee, Daniel and Addison; his mother, Barbara; siblings, Marci (Phil), Eric, Scott (Nancy) and Stacey; nieces and nephews, Morgan (Vanessa, Jaide, Emmitt), Emily, Joshua, Christel (Michael) and Brandon; his aunt, Marlene; and cousin, Katherine.

Friends and family can pay their respects at the remembrance celebration on Saturday, May 24, at 3 p.m., at Medina’s Watering Hole, 3272 Scott’s Valley Road, Lakeport.

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

Robert Tavares Sr.
Dec. 24, 1946 — May 7, 2025

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Bob was born on Dec. 24, 1946, in Healdsburg, California, Bob lived a life rooted in the Golden State from beginning to end.

Throughout his 78 years, Bob witnessed and experienced many changes in the world around him.

Although Bob spent most of his life in Sonoma County, he called Kelseyville his home for the last nine years.

Bob loved to spend his time working on cars and enjoyed hunting and fishing.

He enjoyed helping others and had a fix for just about any mechanical issue you were experiencing.

Bob enjoyed spending time with others and enjoying life.

He is survived by siblings, Maria, Edwina, Joseph, Cynthia, and Elise (Cookie); and his six children, Rachel, Willie, Robert Jr., Eddiy, Jennifer and Shawn.

Bob is preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Rose Tavares; sister, Evelyn; brother, Edward Jr.; and granddaughter Rachel Tavares.

May his memory bring comfort to those who knew him.