Elizabeth (Betty) Memory

11/17/1923-11/09/2013

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Betty passed from this earth to where the angels are welcoming her home at last.

She was born in Scotts Bluff, Nebraska, and was raised there until finalizing her high school education.

She then relocated to Ukiah, Calif., where she met and fell in love with her husband, Robert.

They were married July 4, 1947, as it was the only day that they both had off from work. They recently celebrated 66 wonderful years of marriage.

Betty was a wonderful mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

She leaves behind her husband, Robert; daughter, Beverley Love (Michael); grandchildren, April Croce (Keith) and Robert Love (Rolyn); and great-grandchildren, Ashleigh, Gabrielle and Landon.

She was predeceased in death by her daughter, Katherine.

She will be greatly missed by her family and all her many friends in Clearlake.

Her family also wishes to thank all the wonderful staff of caregivers who looked after her while at Meadowood Nursing Facility.

Graveside services will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, at Lower Lake Cemetery, 9040 Lake St.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the charity of your choice in Betty’s name.

Arrangements entrusted to Jones & Lewis Clear Lake Memorial Chapel, Lower Lake.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Kevin Merchen, 30, passed away of natural causes while at home on Monday, Nov. 25.

He will be deeply missed by those who knew and loved him.

Despite a lengthy battle with health issues, Kevin never lost his inspiring work ethic and spirit for life.

While his family and friends grieve their loss, they rejoice in his life.

Kevin was an avid sportsman and an accomplished gunsmith. His quick wit, broad smile and sly laugh often accompanied his perfect shot whether that shot was with a ball or rifle.

A fan of anything fast, Kevin enjoyed everything with wheels and spending time with the people he loved.

Born on May 8, 1983, Kevin is survived by his father, Joe Merchen, and mother, Elaine Merchen (Claunch); his brother, Michael Merchen and wife, Heidi Merchen (Reinstein); sister, Tracie Cotteleer (Merchen), and husband, Christopher Cotteleer.

Kevin also is survived by his nieces and nephews Alexis (12), Caitlin (9), Zander (8) and Ryan (7); his granddad, Bernard Merchen, and his grandma, Agnes Claunch (Knox); as well as numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

He is preceded in death by his sister, Laura Elaine Merchen; grandmother, Joyce Merchen (Spencer); and grandfather, Elmer Claunch.

“At the time the young man finally rested, the people wept. In time, the people remembered the quality of the man and rejoiced that they were witness to his life and, that all life was better for him having been part of it.”

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4, at Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 1625 North High St. in Lakeport, followed by burial at Upper Lake Cemetery.

Mildred Wray Ellis, 96, peacefully passed from this life to the next on Monday morning, Nov. 18, 2013, in Provo, Utah from natural causes, due to her age.

She was born in Hobart, Kiowa County, Missouri on May 28, 1917.

In 1945 she married Randolph Franklin Ellis (deceased). She was a stepmother/mother to Peggy “Joyce” Ellis (Harold Rebeck), Danye Franklin Ellis (deceased), William Harold Ellis (deceased), Timothy Craig Ellis, Penny Kathleen Ellis (Bob Lee), Gary Leonard Ellis (Lee Ann) and Jerry Wayne Ellis (Diann).

Her life was filled with giving service to her family and friends. She loved to attend any event her children/grandchildren/great-grandchildren were participating in – be it sports, music or drama. She loved to bowl and make things with her hands.

She was known for her beautiful smile. Strangers were just friends she hadn’t met yet. New residents at her care center were made to feel at home by her friendly welcome. She could artfully dig out information while innocently playing games with her loved ones.

She was playing games the day before she died when she quietly informed us, “I’m tired. I want to go home.”

She has 32 grandchildren, 58 great-grandchildren and 30 great-great grandchildren.

Graveside services will be held at 11 a.m Tuesday, Nov. 26, at the Kelseyville Cemetery, located at 3375 Bell Hill Road.

For more information, please contact Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary at 707-263-0357.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Paul Ray Sellers of Clearlake passed quietly away at home on Nov. 16, 2013.

He served in the US Army during the Cold War and owned and operated a structural pest control business.

Paul is survived by his soul mate and adoring wife of 35 years, Roberta Sellers, and loving parents, Alvin P. and Oweda Crump.

Please sign Paul’s guest book at www.jonesandlewis.com .

Melvin Paul “Moe” Sampson

June 27, 1955 – Nov. 4, 2013

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Moe has joined some of his favorite musicians and friends in an everlasting gig.

He will always be remembered for his beautiful smile, friendly eyes and heavenly voice.

Memorial plans to be announced at a later date. Forever In Music.

Cremation arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, Lakeport.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Jack de Vine, a “Star of Lake County” has passed.

Jack de Vine passed from this life Nov. 15, 2013. He was born October 25, 1936, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

He is survived by his life partner of 47 years, JJ Jackson. He is also survived by his niece, Debbi (Mark) Robertson and her children and grandson (Jenny, Chris, Sarah, Daniel, Jake and Cory).

At the age of 3, his mother and father, Ida Mae and Merrill “Andy” de Vine, moved Jack and his sister Diane to Hollywood, California.

Jack graduated from George Washington High School and attended USC majoring in marketing, while also finding time to excel in theater lighting.

He served in the US Army during 1956 to 1959 and was stationed in Adis Ababa, Ethiopia, with the American Consultant Corp. One of his duties was helping Emperor Haile Selassie’s son learn and speak English.

After the Army, Jack became a widely recognized bartender known as “The Host of the Valley.” A Jack de Vine party was described by the LA Times as “an intimate gathering of 3,000 close friends and a host of others.”

As a general manager for Nash Enterprises, Jack was in charge of The Purple Lion, Ali Baba’s, The Farm, and The El Dorado Steakhouse.

In 1972, he became general manager of the World Famous Seven Seas Supper Club across from Grauman’s Chinese Theater.

During this time, he assisted his father, and succeeded him, with the family business, A.D. Filmbooking Service, delivering short subjects to theaters throughout the 11 western states.

Also, the side business of de Vine Feathers provided fancy feather work to entities and stars like Ice Capades, Bob Mackie, Carol Burnett, Cher, Ann-Margret, Roberta Flack, Diana Ross and Mitzi Gaynor.

While visiting family in Northern California, Jack and JJ took a detour through Lake County and fell in love with it.

In 1982, they began their adventure at The Bungalow in Clearlake Oaks. Jack quickly acclimated to the community and became very active in civic affairs.

Throughout the years, he served as the president of the Lions Club and the Ka Ba Tin Civic Club. He became the general manager of the Robin Hill Restaurant in Lakeport.

After this, Jack worked with the senior centers, the tribal communities, community outreach, Senior Support Services and delivering “Meals on Wheels.”

In 2003, he began working for California Indian Manpower as elder’s coordinator at Robinson Rancheria. In April 2013, he began volunteering at Lakeport Senior Center as a Meals on Wheels driver up until his last day.

In 1999, Jack received the very first “Star of Lake County” presented as Senior of the Year.

Throughout Jack’s life endeavors, he was always involved in many organizations that impacted the community.

He was a people person and blessed many with his caring and charming personality. In his presence, you always felt welcomed and loved.

Graveside services will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23, at Upper Lake Cemetery, Upper Lake, Calif.

For further information call Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary at 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com .