Obits

June Salter. Courtesy photo.

June Carolyn Salter
June 9, 1940 — Nov. 12, 2022

June was born in Rockford, Illinois, on June 9, 1940, before the family moved to Camden, Minnesota at an early age.

Later the family moved to Gardena, where she went to high school and graduated from Gardena High School. After graduation she went to work for Lockheed Martin in Denver, Colorado.

June was vacationing with her family in Soda Bay in Lake County, California, the summer of 1960, when she met Mike Salter at the Edgewater Resort. Mike and June long distance dated until April 8, 1961, when they were married at the Episcopal Cathedral in Los Angeles.

They made their home in Lakeport, California, until 1963 when they moved to Clearlake with their first daughter, Susan. In 1965 they were blessed once again with another daughter, Nancy.

June was involved in many organizations such as Park Study Club, TOPS, Eastern Star, Sons of Norway, Cotillion and as a dedicated Girl Scout and 4-H leader.

She was a member and parishioner of St. John’s Episcopal of Lakeport and Galilee Lutheran of Kelseyville. She served as the secretary of Lake County Television Club from the start over 30 years of service.

She was a friend to many, wife, family travel coordinator and mother to her girls.

In 1976 the family moved to Salter Shamrock Ranch in Lower Lake, California, where she lived until she went home to God.

June passed peacefully on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022.

She is survived by her devout husband of 61 years, Mike; daughters, Susan (son-in-law Siri), and Nancy; four grandchildren, Alexasia, Maddison, Phoenix and Morgan; younger brother, Jim Delebak (sister in-law Billie); brother-in-law, Lee Salter (sister-in-law Judy); and cousins, Peg Effertz and Phil Deutschle.

The family was blessed to have her in their lives and thanks everyone who shared in June’s life and happiness.

Memorial service will be held at Galilee Lutheran Church, 8860 Soda Bay Road, Kelseyville, on Thursday, Nov. 17, at 11 a.m.

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

Timothy Lowell. Courtesy photo.

Timothy Michael Lowell, ‘Tim’
1959-2022

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Tim was the most loving and lovable guy. He always had a joke and laughed all the time.

He always had a helping hand to anyone who asked.

He will be missed by all, especially his family: His wife, Debra Lowell; father, Chuck Lowell; brothers, Todd and Chip Lowell; children, Tim (Michelle), Jennifer, Patrick (Micah), James (Keiko) and Shai.

He loved spending time with his grandkids, Iric, Corina, Madison, Aiden, Gabriel, Olivia and Jasmine.

Services to be held Saturday, Dec. 17, at the Yacht Club on Fifth Street in Lakeport at 4 p.m.

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

April N. Sombs. Courtesy photo.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — April N. Sombs passed peacefully in her home surrounded by friends and family on Nov. 4, 2022.

A beloved wife, mother and sister, she will be dearly missed.

She is lovingly remembered by her husband, Joel Sombs; son, Ben and his wife, Deborah Sombs; daughter, Laura Sombs; grandchildren, Kai, Erik and Abby; brother, Stanley and his wife, Lori Klein; and dear friend, Nancy Danning.

April devoted her life to her faith and family. She faced her illness as she did any life change, pragmatically with grace, fortitude and humility.

An avid reader and Star Trek fan, April enjoyed gardening, bird watching and spending time with loved ones.

She had many jobs in her life: from librarian, bus driver, and custodian to assigning notary publics across the nation, teacher aide and helping in her mother-in-law’s (Anita Sombs) used book store.

Her passion, though, was working with children. She volunteered in Sunday School, Awana and Vacation Bible School.

She was immensely proud of her grandchildren.

Memorial service will be held at Grace Evangelical Free Church in Kelseyville on Sunday, Nov. 20, at 6:30 p.m.

In her memory, donations can be made to UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals.

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

Jerry Covin. Courtesy photo.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Jerry “Pilgrim” Covin was born and raised in the Boston area.

He moved his family to Northern California in 1979 in large part to pursue his lifelong passion — restoring classic cars.

Pilgrim moved to Lake County, California, in the 1990s, collecting a large assortment of friends and chosen family, as well as other classic car enthusiasts. He leaves behind a pioneering and stellar body of work.

Pilgrim was handsome, charming, talented and wickedly funny. His sometimes-gruff exterior hid a kind and generous heart. He really would give you the shirt off his back.

He was also stubbornly independent and authentically himself at all times. He was often heard to say with great feeling, if they don't like it, “f*** 'em!”

But he did not have a mean bone in his body. He was very slow to judge, giving other people the unqualified acceptance he demanded for himself.

Pilgrim is survived by his longtime loving partner, Ronda; his dear friends, Dan and Pam; his daughters, Amy and Randi; his son-in-law, Anthony; grandsons, Dean and Ben; his granddaughter-in-law, Mikhaila; his great-grandson, Noah Gerald; his brother, his sister and countless nieces, nephews, friends, colleagues and admirers.

He will be sorely missed by all, and he loved them all.

Memorial celebration to be held on Saturday, Nov. 19, from 2 to 4 p.m. at his shop at 3430 Finley Road East in Finley.

Kevin Gardner. Courtesy photo.

LAKEPORT, Calif. — Kevin William Gardner, 60, of Lakeport, passed away unexpectedly in his home on Oct. 4, 2022.

Kevin was born in San Rafael, California, the second of three boys and one sister to Carol Cooper and Gerald Gardner.

Kevin attended Clear Lake High School in Lakeport and later graduated from South Tahoe High School in South Lake Tahoe, California.

After high school, Kevin apprenticed in auto body repair in Farmington, New Mexico. He also worked for many years in the construction trade including working for the family-owned construction business.

He spent most of his life living in Lakeport. Kevin was known as a guy who could fix anything and a guy with a big heart who would give anything he had to help someone in need.

He will be remembered for his greatest loves, cool cars and his dog, Boozer.

Kevin is preceded in death by his grandmother, Kay; uncle, Robl; his son, Daniel; and his companion, Boozer.

He is survived by his mother and father, Carol and Mal Cooper; his father, Gerald Gardner; his brothers, Grant Gardner and Joe Cooper (Luisa); his sister, Colleen Cooper Henninger (Thad); his children, Jerry Gardner (Silvia) and Jasmine Heckard Hodges (Aaron); and his grandchildren, Cooper, Camila, Olivia and Avana, as well as many extended family members.

He was deeply loved and will be greatly missed.

There will be a memorial celebration of his life for family and friends Nov. 12 at 11 a.m. at Lakeview Beach Terrace Association at 4770 Lakeshore Blvd. in Lakeport.

Care entrusted to Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary FD1336, www.chapeklofthelakes.com, Lakeport, 707-263-0357.

Homer Webster Wilson. Courtesy photo.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Homer Webster Wilson was born in Palestine, Texas, on Nov. 18, 1928, to the Rev. George H. Wilson and Nancy Roberson. He was one of 14 children.

Homer joined the military at the age of 18 and served three years in the occupation of Japan.

In 1950 he entered the Korean War and served 13 months in combat duty. He attained the rank of sergeant and commanded a 12-man 155 mm howitzer gun crew. He received several commendations and metals including the Korea Commendation Service Medal with three Bronze Stars.

On May 31, 1952, he married Christine McCray, and from this union, a son was born; they named him Levert.

In 1953 he was honorably discharged from the military. He moved to California where he attended Oakland City College where he majored in business law. He worked for 38 years in civil service for the state of California and the federal government.

Together, Homer and Christine built their home in Nice, California; they built a life they loved. This year, 2022, would have marked their 64th wedding anniversary.

On any given day, Homer, affectionately known as HW, could be found relaxing out on the deck. He’d read his newspaper and watch his sports; he loved the Dodgers and the 49ers and tending to his four-legged companions, who, as of recently, were all named “Thor.” He also liked to fish and hunt.

Homer also enjoyed hosting family. He would share his wisdom with everyone in his presence. Food was plentiful in the Wilson home, and you were always welcome. Homer would give his last, and before you left his house, he would give you this advice: “Keep it in the middle of the road, mate.”

Other words of wisdom included: “If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything,” It’s six one way, half a dozen another,” and “Come to me with friendship and not with your hand out.”

Homer departed this life on Oct. 25, 2022, at the tender age of 93. He would live a full, blessed and productive life, one full of love and great memories.

He was preceded in death by his parents, the Rev. George H. Wilson and Nancy Roberson Wilson; his wife of 64 years, Christine; his sisters, Arlener Moore, Lola Faye Briley, Nancy Jean Reliford, Ruth Thelma Glenn and Terrie Lee Wilson; his brothers, LC Wilson, Richard Odell Wilson and Clemmon Santee Wilson; and his stepmother, Corrie Wilson.

Homer leaves to cherish his memory his son, Levert (Linda) of Lawrenceville, Georgia; a grandson, Byron Rideaux of Lawrenceville; one great-grandson, Byron of Covina, California; three brothers, Audrey Wilson, Glenell Wilson and Johnathan Wayne Wilson, all of Omaha, Nebraska; two sisters, Octavia Lorraine Smith of Austin, Texas, and Evelyn Harker Wilson of Bellevue, Nebraska; two sisters-in-law and one brother-in-law, Alice Faye Randal (Randy) of Oakland, California, Pearl Guiton of Houston, Texas, and Dixon Dunn of Oakland; and a host of nieces, nephew, cousins, and friends.

Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to noon at Nice Community Baptist Church on Saturday, Nov. 12, followed by a funeral service at noon.

A graveside service will be held at Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon on Monday, Nov. 14, at 1:15 p.m.

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

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