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LAKEPORT, Calif. – Michael Francis Maughan was born in Sligo, Ireland, on Jan. 29, 1931, and he died Feb. 1, 2014, in Vacaville, Calif.
He was the fifth of five sons. He immigrated to Ontario, Canada and found work before sending for his future wife, Margaret “Maudie” Harrison of Glasgow, Scotland.
While in Canada, Mike and Maudie were married in May of 1952 and had the first two of five sons, Michael in 1953 and Alfred in 1956.
They then moved to California in pursuit of warmer winters. Mike found work with Pacific Gas & Electric Co. in Oakland. He was an accomplished welder and examples of his welding were often used in PG&E welding classes.
During their years in Oakland, Mike and Maudie had three more sons: Jerry in 1957, Philip in 1959 and Kevin in 1961.
Eventually, the family settled in San Leandro where Mike worked two and three jobs to put his five sons through Saint Leander's Catholic School.
Mike stayed with PG&E and ascended through the ranks to field foreman. He retired from PG&E in 1985 and he and Maudie moved to Lakeport, on the shores of Clear Lake.
He was a proud member of the Lakeport Elks Lodge, where he made many great friends and loved to share his wee Irish jokes.
If you were lucky, you might occasionally hear him sing a rendition of “Irish Eyes” as he did on Dec. 20, 2013, the day he lost his beloved Maudie after a 33-day battle with lung cancer.
After losing Maudie, he often said, “I don't know what to do without her.”
Forty-three days after Maudie's death, Mike suffered a massive heart attack and joined her in Heaven. All who knew him agree, he died of a broken heart.
Mike is survived by his five sons and their wives, Michael and Dawn of Seattle, Wash.; Alfred and Wendy of Vacaville, Calif.; Jerry and Sheryl of San Leandro, Calif.; Philip and Jill of San Lorenzo, Calif.; and Kevin and Candi of North Kingstown, Rhode Island.
Mike and Maudie also had 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
A celebration of Mike's life will be held at the Lakeport Elks Lodge at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 29, 2014.
For further information call Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary at 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611 or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com .
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LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Howard Rudy Chavez Jr. attended local elementary schools and graduated from Lower Lake High School in 1975.
After high school he entered into the US Coast Guard and served for two years.
Howard received encouragement from his elders to pursue a career in education, and so he did and received his bachelor of arts degree at Humboldt State University in June of 1980.
He followed this up by completing his master's degree at the University of San Francisco in 1985. He was a teacher for the Konocti Unified School District from 1981 to 1990.
Howard then worked as the principal of the Round Valley High School from 1990 to 1997. He also worked for a year as the superintendent /principal at the Pyramid Lake High School.
In his later years Howard worked with different agencies to help Native American programs, offering his writing skills in obtaining federal grants and development of training and social involvement addressing various tribal issues.
Howard leaves behind sons, Justin Latham and Matthew Chavez; daughters, Summer Porter, Roberta and Cassandra Chavez; along with numerous grandchildren, nieces and nephews; his brother, Ron Montez; and sisters, Leora John and Jeanne Lopez.
He also leaves behind his love and life partner of 20 years, Janice Freeman. He loved that she was a traditional Indian woman, believing in the old ways, and that she was a great cook.
With Janice, Howard opened his heart and home to shelter and raise many needful Indian and non-Indian grandchildren. They provided a home and family atmosphere for these children that they would otherwise be without.
Affectionately these children called Howard “Papa” and he always had a word of encouragement for the kids, little quotes like “the early bird gets the worm” or “ quitters never win and winners never quit.”
He believed in education as a way to make a difference for yourself and to help set an example for the generations to come.
A traditional Native American wake will be held at the Big Valley Rancheria gymnasium at 4 p.m. Friday, March 21, to Monday, March 24.
A memorial service will take place at 11 a.m. Sunday, March 23, to 9 a.m. Monday, March 24.
Contributions may be made to Jones Mortuary in care of “Chavez Funeral.”
Arrangements entrusted to Jones Mortuary www.jonesmortuary.com FD311, Lakeport, Calif.
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CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – Steven VanDervoort passed away suddenly on Feb. 19, 2014, at the age of 49.
He is survived by wife, Jeannie of Clearlake Oaks; sister, Teri Lyn of Hawaii; brother, Todd, and father, Donald, both of Las Vegas.
A memorial service will be held at the First Baptist Church of Clearlake Oaks at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, March 23.
Cremation arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary.