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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Kenneth John Beech was born on March 13, 1933, in Birmingham, England.
Ken passed away suddenly on Feb. 13, 2024.
Ken grew up in England and lived there until 1963, when he immigrated with his family to the United States. Ken lived in the Bay Area and took a job with Hewlett Packard.
Ken and his family moved briefly to Canada and from there, back to England for a period of time. He and his family moved back to the Bay Area and from there moved to Santa Cruz.
After the kids had grown up, Ken and his wife Sheila retired to Lake County where they lived for over 40 years.
Ken is survived by his wife, Sheila Beech of Kelseyville; his brother, George Beech of Clearlake; daughters, Carol Jacquez (Sal) and Denise Curran (Mike); grandchildren, Leah Marshall, Justin Jacquez, Brandon Jacquez (Mellissa), Michelle Crabtree, Scott Crabtree and Ben Crabtree-Alvarado (Angel); many great-grandchildren; and a great-great grandchild.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
KELSEYVILLE, Calif. — Russell Richard Dover, 76, of Kelseyville passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Feb. 28, 2024.
He was born on June 11, 1947, in Cedar City, Utah, to Richard Bryant Dover and Mina Elmyra Wilson and he was the oldest of seven children.
Russell married twice (Patrica Bryant, 1967 to 1972), and to his eternal companion, Debra Scharninghausen, on June 9, 1973.
Russ loved being a mechanic. Over his career he was self-employed, worked at Libby’s Cannery, Mt. Konocti Growers, Homestake Mining Co. and retired from Berberian Nut Co.
He loved cars. He built a 1970 Plymouth Duster to drag race, worked on friend’s race cars and restored a 1940 Chevy Coupe.
Russ was involved in the Boy Scouts of America and was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Russ is survived by his wife, Debra; his daughters, Tammy (John), April (Steve), Tracy (Edward) and Kristen (Richard); his 11 grandchildren; and seven great-granddaughters.
A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 29, at the Gridley-Biggs Cemetery in Gridley, California.
A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 30, at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Lakeport.
Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
Delbert Lee Thomas Sr.
Dec. 9, 1939 — Feb. 25, 2024
Delbert Lee Thomas Sr., 84, of Clearlake Oaks, California, passed away on Feb. 25, 2024, in Santa Rosa, California.
Delbert was born on the Elem Indian Colony in Clearlake Oaks and attended Lower Lake High School. He later relocated to the Bay Area, where he attended Contra Costa College.
He returned to live in the Clearlake Oaks and Spring Valley area. He was living in Santa Rosa prior to his passing.
Delbert dedicated 33 years of his life as a lineman for Pacific Gas and Electric, building towers and climbing poles before the use of bucket trucks. He was a cultural and religious expert within his community, serving as the captain of the Elem Roundhouse since he was 19 years old.
Delbert was a committed guardian of traditional and religious life ways, he was a beautiful singer and dancer. He found great joy in harvesting abalone, seaweed and acorns along the northern Mendocino County coast.
Delbert was a devoted fan of the San Francisco 49ers, San Francisco Giants and Golden State Warriors. He cherished spending time camping along the coast and indulging in traditional Native foods. Delbert's presence will be deeply missed by his loving family and many friends.
He is survived by his wife, Lori Laiwa Thomas; his sister, Loretta Kelsey; his sister, Alice Audrey Arroyo; his daughter, Julie Plevney, daughter Sandra, son Lyle, son Daryl, son Gary and daughter Rhoda, including stepchildren Marcus Meloy and Sheila Castillo.
His large extended family includes 27 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. He had numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Delbert was preceded in death by his mother, Caroline Williams; his father, Cecil Thomas; uncle, John Kelsey; aunt, Effie Kelsey; his former wife, Betty Thomas; his sister, Alice Audrey Arroyo; his son, Joe Thomas; and his son, Delbert Lee Thomas Jr.
In accordance with Delbert's final wishes, there will be no funeral service or burial. Instead, his ashes will be spread at sea and his dinner will be held at Abalone Point, Mendocino County coast on March 24 at 1 p.m.
His family wishes to thank the following Tribes for assisting with financial donations: Colusa Indian Community, Elem Indian Colony, Hopland Pomo Nation, Sherwood Pomo Nation, Big Valley Pomo Nation and Cahto Tribe of Laytonville.
The Eggen & Lance Mortuary in Santa Rosa is assisting the family with the arrangements.