LAKEPORT, Calif. — Rodolfo "Rudy" Lopez, 62, passed away on March 13, 2025, in Lakeport.

Born on Dec. 6, 1962, in El Salvador, Rudy brought warmth and laughter to those around him throughout his life.

Rudy is survived by his daughters, Xenya and Ruby; his beloved granddaughter, Gianna; his mother, Maria Julia; and three sisters, Marjorie, Lilly, and Blanca Rosa.

He also leaves behind several nieces, nephews, and many more family and friends who cherished him deeply.

Most remember him as a true rock and roll guy with his signature long curly hair, and a passion for motorcycles. Whether riding through town or spending time with friends and family, he found joy in the simple pleasures of life.

Known for his humor and easygoing nature, Rudy got along with everyone he met. He was a friend to the community — someone who could always bring a smile to those around him. His presence was larger than life, and his memory will continue to live on in the hearts of those who knew him.

Visitation will be held at Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary on Thursday, March 20, from 3 to 7 p.m.

Graveside funeral service will be held at Kelseyville Cemetery on Friday, March 21, at 1 p.m.

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

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Jacquie was born Aug. 22, 1957, in Martinez, California.

She was the daughter of Cleburne Onnie Smith of Kingston, Arkansas and Nancy Packwood Smith of Nichols, California.

She was blessed with a childhood filled with adventure, living in multiple states including California, Arkansas, Texas, Alabama and Virginia, which instilled in her a passion for life that inspired those around her.

She graduated in 1975 from Marysville High School and married Gary Bonson in Marysville, California.

In 1984, they moved to Lake County, where she thrived in her 25-year career at UPS in Lakeport.

In 2012, she embarked on a new venture, co-founding a family-owned propane business, which became a testament to her determination.

Though Jacquie's life was unexpectedly cut short by a heart attack on Feb. 15, 2025, her legacy lives on.

She is predeceased by her parents, Cleburne and Nancy Smith, and her grandson, Ethan Bonson (survived by Renee).

Her memory will continue to inspire her husband of 50 years, Gary Bonson; sister, Deborah Smith (Gene Glick); brother, James Smith; children, Travis (Ayano), Casey, Lani (Justin); grandchildren, Jayto (Sage), Angelia, Brooke and Donnie; great-granddaughter, Charlee Jean; and countless friends and family members that cherished her.

Jacquie was laid to rest on Feb. 28 at the Hillside Cemetery in Bieber, California, to be near her parents and many other relatives buried there.

Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-995-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com.

Robert Patton
Dec. 27, 1942 to Nov. 25, 2024

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Robert died suddenly, leaving many parts of the Lucerne community.

He was a wonderful example of how a retired person can care for a community.

He created the Lucerne Community Garden, with the help of FLOW (Friends of Locally Owned Water), building long high garden boxes, hauling dirt and chicken manure, pumping water from the lake into the holding tank, so that gardeners could water their flowers and vegetables.

Robert loved nature and took beautiful enlarged photos of Lake County's wild birds. In partnership with the Audubon Society, to prevent injury to birds and fishes, he created tubes for collecting used fishing line and hung them at boat launches around the lake, emptied them regularly and sent them to be recycled.

At the monthly Fiddler's Jam at the Ely Stage Stop, Robert would dress up in overalls and a straw hat to drive the hay ride for the kids.

For several years, Rob pumped water from the lake and hauled it to the Lucerne Senior Center to water the memorial rose garden. Always one to offer help, he picked up food in Lucerne and delivered it to several needy people. He finished a neighbor's poorly-constructed ramp and added non-skid strips.

Robert was also a musician with a beautiful singing voice. He played guitars with friends every week for years.

He was a very special person and has left large holes in many hearts and lives. His beloved dog Teva is now living with his good friends Willie dog and Karen.

Robert flew free. He left behind his daughters Cheryl Closser and Kathy Patton-Black; grandchildren Kristina Closser, Adam Black, Zachery Closser, Ian Closser; and great-granddaughter Clementine Quincy Closser.

He was preceded in death by his parents Howard and Evelyn Patton and his granddaughter Bethany Closser.

All are welcome to attend a celebration of his life on Saturday, March 29, at the Lucerne Alpine Senior Center, 3985 Country Club Drive at noon. There will be food, and people may bring a dish to share.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Vicente Zeta Colacion of Lakeport, California, passed away on Jan. 31, 2025. He was 32.

He is the beloved son of Daphne and Lawrence Colacion, loving brother of Paloma and Maya Colacion, adored uncle of Myla Colacion, doting partner to Jenny Hole and her daughter Stella, and devoted co-owner of his trusted feline-companion Jody Foster. He also leaves his grandmother, grandfathers, aunts, uncles, cousins and countless friends.

Vicente led the life of a true artist. Funny, fun-loving and silly at times, he understood the complexities of life and took both the highs and lows in stride. A true friend to all, Vicente was an equal-opportunity lover, eschewing societal norms to befriend, listen to, and love those who are often overlooked.

Affectionately referred to as a stray cat, he managed to find and create family wherever his travels took him.

Vicente was an extremely principled person with a strong sense of justice, and throughout his life his family was often approached by many expressing their admiration for the exceptional caring and generous human being he was.

Born June 12, 1992 in San Francisco, California, Vicente spent the first years of his life attending San Francisco State University’s Early Childhood Program where his parents attended college.

At 2 years old, he was reading (memorizing) his favorite books in the student union to the amazement of other students. He continued his love for reading throughout his life, constantly collecting and sharing his books with friends.

He lived in Long Beach, California, in his early years, the Santa Cruz Mountains where he welcomed his sisters Paloma (in 1997) and Maya (in 2001), and Antioch during elementary school.

In 2005, he and his family moved to Cobb Mountain, California, where he often played with his little sisters in the pine and manzanita surrounding his family’s property, loved taking the family dogs for hikes in Boggs Forest, spent many a morning turned afternoon chatting with friends and neighbors at the local coffee shop, and built community at the Middletown Arts Center while taking writing workshops and performing at their open mics.

During his younger years he participated in swim team, indoor and outdoor soccer teams, hockey, baseball, basketball, track, cross country, chess clubs, and played the violin. He was a prolific creator with a vivid imagination and often enjoyed setting up elaborate Star Wars scenes with the death star ship and figurines and building intricate legos structures in his youth.

He attended Middletown Middle School, Sonoma Academy and graduated from Pathways Charter School with a high school diploma in 2010. In 2006, he volunteered in the clean up efforts for Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans with a team of students from Sonoma Academy.

After high school, he attended Mendocino College for creative writing and studied journalism at Humboldt State University. He participated in the university’s radio station, published articles in the school’s bilingual newspaper El Lenador, and tutored countless students in English and writing.

In 2022, he lived in Austin, Texas where he made a home with a large circle of friends, enjoyed the music scene, and was awe-struck by the barbecue and the Texas-sized portions. He enjoyed traveling, cooking and feeding others, slam dancing at punk shows, writing poetry and short stories, and sharing his writings during open mics. He began writing poetry at around 12 years old, participated in poetry slams and open mics in countless venues, had his poetry published and was a member of the Lake County Poet Laureate.

In 2024, he moved back to Lake County to reunite with the love of his life and rejoin the community that he spent many years building. He was a top salesman at US Cellular in Lakeport, where he treated his customers as he did all his friends — like family.

Vicente was an expert at creating and maintaining relationships, and never let distance or time get in the way of checking up on family, friends, and even acquaintances. At times childlike himself, he was beloved by children and loved his godchildren, niece, and partner’s child, Stella, as his own. He will be deeply missed by many.

A celebration of Vicente’s life will be held at the Middletown Art Center on Sunday, April 27, from 2 to 8 p.m. Activities will include live music, a DJ, arts and crafts projects, and a reading of his work by the Lake County Poet Laureates. Dinner will be served from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

CLEARLAKE, Calif. — Pamela Jean Joseph, aged 74, passed away peacefully on Feb. 15, 2025, at her home in Clearlake.

Born on Nov. 26, 1951, in Marin County, California, Pamela lived a long life surrounded by friends and family, filled with moments of love and laughter.

Pamela enjoyed reading, sewing, knitting, baking and camping. Some of the best memories with Pamela were from the summer-long camping trips where the whole family would gather together. Her feisty personality and outspoken nature will always be remembered.

Pamela is survived by her brothers, Tom, Donald and John Wunder; her son, Guy Minyard; her daughter, Alice Hudson; her granddaughter, Nicole Edwards; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Pamela was a private person, and to honor her wishes, the family will not be holding a memorial service.

Instead, we leave you with a quote that perfectly captures what family and friends already know about this amazing woman: “Yes, I’m stubborn, strong-willed, outspoken, and can be a pain in the ass, but I have a heart of GOLD!” — unknown.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — On Feb. 15, 2025, we suffered the passing of our beloved Elsa Rosalinda Meyer.

She is survived by three children, six grandchildren, four sisters, her brother, her mother, many sisters and brothers-in-laws, and finally me, her husband, Daniel Meyer.

When diagnosed with stomach cancer, Elsa was given just two months to live. Instead, she fought cancer for two years and seven months. She did so with immense dignity and the sparkling good cheer that was well known to all of us who loved her so deeply.

Known as an incredibly original textile artist, she was productive till the end. During this mortal battle, she finished well over 20 quilts (for that is what the world calls her them) … gathering in one last haul of ribbons including a final “Best Of Show.”

Elsa's last days were filled with a steady stream of friends, family, workmates, fellow quilters, as well as dancers, and musicians who knew her so well from the dance floor.

It was never possible to take Elsa for granted. Without effort, she made her presence felt. She was a very beautiful woman who never felt herself to be particularly attractive. One could melt before her smile.

My diminutive wife was born into crushing poverty in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. She was not to let a very rough childhood crush her. Instead she learned to become a graphic arts camera operator for the Honduran government's Ministry of Culture & Tourism.

Once in the US, she showed single-minded focus to learn English, become a citizen, finish her GED then complete an AA at Yuba College.

Thereupon fate stepped in and she became a claims rep for the Social Security Administration right here in Lakeport. That career was notable for the efficiency and, far more importantly, for the kindness with which Elsa helped countless, sometimes desperate citizens to navigate an often opaque system.

So, now she's gone. She did not waste her time on this Earth. I live in a house surrounded by the beauty she created. Her luminous smile was the lovely evidence of the deep soul that has now passed from this world.

We will celebrate Elsa's life on March 22 at 11 a.m. at Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 1625 N. High St. in Lakeport.