Obits
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Our dearest Nana, Rose Mary Vierra, passed away on Sept. 19, 2023, at 108 years old, reuniting with her late husband, Frank.
As the matriarch of a five-generation family, Rose had two daughters, Bobbie and Denise; nine grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; and 13 great-great-grandchildren.
She was an extrovert and thrived in the company of family and friends.
She loved crosswords and jigsaws, model trains, bowling, golf, travel, all things sweet and Elvis.
Memorial Mass will be held for her at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 28, at St. Peter’s Church, 4085 Main St., Kelseyville, followed by a celebration of life.
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
Fred DelValle began his journey home to the Ancestors on Sept. 17, 2023.
He was born Dec. 14, 1949, in Sacramento, California, to Joseph DelValle and Elizabeth (Homes) DelValle.
Fred passed away in his hometown of Sacramento. He was an enrolled tribal member of the Big Valley Rancheria in Lakeport, California, and a proud member of the Pomo Tribe.
Fred was predeceased by his parents; brothers, Joseph, Leonard and Frank DelValle; sisters, Delores Rivas, Patricia DelValle and Mary Billy.
He is survived by his sister, Carmen Crabtree; sons, Joshua and Anthony DelValle; daughter, Tosha DelValle; daughter-in-law, Vianey; grandchildren, Veronica, Leonard Jr., Tommy, Natalia, Tristan, Trinity and Maggiel as well as many nieces and nephews.
Fred was a proud and dedicated Sun Dancer with the Lakota (Sioux) Tribe in South Dakota where many bands came together. Fred proudly participated in and poured water while leading multiple sweat lodges around California as well as danced many round houses including the three day Bear Dance Colusa, California, where he proudly danced for Kamil which was passed down to him by the highly respected and honored “Auntie Barb”!
He had a great passion for holding prayer circles to support anyone who was suffering especially including those who suffer addiction.
Fred highly enjoyed serving his Native community whenever and wherever he was needed. Fred touched many people with his passion for helping people and educating everyone he could the Native culture and ways. He would never hesitate to open his home to anyone in need, welcoming them with open arms. He was a father figure, mentor, friend and inspiration to many.
Fred was very proud of his Pomo heritage and enjoyed sharing his stories with the people around him.
He loved waking up early in the morning, waking everyone with his personal alarm songs as he stomped his feet with joy. He had a unique sense of humor with such a great contagious smile that shined so bright and a laugh that would always make others laugh around him.
He enjoyed fishing, crafting, writing and watching Western movies. He had such a deep passion for and loved listening to oldies but goodies. He loved his family dearly and would give anyone the shirt off his back if they needed it.
Fred will be deeply missed and we will forever commemorate his legacy.
Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com.
- Details
- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
Lyle W. La Faver
Dec. 25, 1936 — Aug. 21, 2023
Lyle William La Faver passed away Aug. 21, 2023, in Oakland, of Alzheimer’s dementia. He died peacefully with his wife by his side.
Lyle was born Dec. 25, 1936, in Denver, Colorado, to parents Louis La Faver and Anna Mittendorf. He grew up in San Diego under the shadow of World War II and remembers black-out windows and soldiers chasing kids off the beach.
He attended Chula Vista High School where he excelled in Reserves Officer Training Corp, or ROTC. Lyle and a buddy signed up for Marine Corp Reserve. Unexpectedly, the unit was activated, and the boys completed Marine Corp boot camp at Camp Pendleton. Realizing the boys’ ages, they received honorable discharges and returned to high school to complete their education.
Lyle loved airplanes and soloed at 17. Deciding to forgo the Marines, Lyle enlisted in the US Air Force and was shipped to Japan. He worked in radar at Misawa Air Force Base in northern Honshū. Lyle finished out his military career teaching radar and weather at Kessler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi.
After his military service, Lyle completed the Copley News Service editorial program and worked as a journalist for 15 years. He married his wife Barbara and helped raise two stepchildren.
Lyle began his Pacific Gas and Electric career in 1978 as a tour guide at Diablo Canyon Nuclear Plant being built in San Luis Obispo. His photography skills documented all aspects of the construction, and he wrote executive summaries of reports to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
He later joined PG&E’s corporate communications staff as media representative in San Francisco, Chico and Sacramento. He served as chief spokesperson in Sacramento during the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake and received the Governor’s Award for work with the state Office of Emergency Services.
He continued consulting with PG&E after retiring and moving to Yuma, Arizona, for his wife’s health. He came out of retirement in 1993 to serve as temporary spokesperson at Diablo Canyon Nuclear Plant. His wife died after 32 years of marriage.
In 2000, Lyle married former PG&E colleague Susanne Coffey at St. Timothy’s Episcopal Church in Danville. They moved to the wine country when Lyle was hired as tour guide at The Geysers and worked at the geothermal visitor center in Middletown.
He also served as a volunteer with the Lake County Sheriff’s Department, South Lake County Fire Safe Council and board member for Hidden Valley Lake water district.
He earned Congressman Mike Thompson’s award for community service. He was a member of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Lakeport.
The couple moved to Alameda in 2015 to be near Kaiser Permanente. Lyle became a docent at Oakland Aviation Museum, reader at Christ Episcopal Church and member of a men’s coffee group on Bay Farm.
Lyle is survived by his wife, Susanne; stepson, Tim Coffey (Michelle); and step-grandchildren, Sean and Madeline, all of Alameda.
A memorial service will be Saturday, Sept. 23, 11 a.m., at Christ Episcopal Church, 1700 Santa Clara Ave, Alameda. A reception immediately follows in the parish hall.
Those wishing to honor Lyle may make donations to Boys and Girls Club or the shower program at Christ Episcopal Church.
- Details
- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
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