NORTHERN CALIFORNIA — William 'Bill' Llewellyn, age 96, passed away peacefully on September 21 in Vacaville, California.

Bill is survived by his beloved wife of 79 years, Mary; four children and their spouses, Bill and Sharon Llewellyn, Rick and Kathy Llewellyn, Mariam and John Giafone, and Kevin and Pam Llewellyn; four grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

Bill was a veteran of World War II, serving his country as a member of the Army Air Corps and receiving the Bronze Battle Star for the Philippine Liberation.

Upon returning home to his wife and young son in Quincy, Illinois, he became an electrician and joined the I.B.E.W. Over the years, his work took him and his family across the country, making their home in Nebraska, Colorado, and Idaho before settling in California in 1963.

He retired as a member of Local 595 I.B.E.W. and was recently recognized by the Union for his 70-year membership.

Bill thoroughly enjoyed being outdoors and spent much time with his family camping, boating, fishing and playing golf.

After his retirement, he and his wife Mary devoted a number of years, from 1989 to 2004, volunteering as camp hosts at Clear Lake State Park in Kelseyville, California. During a portion of that time, they also hosted at McGrath State Beach in Ventura, California.

In 2004, they became residents of Clearlake Oaks in Lake County, where they lived until 2016 when they relocated to Rio Vista.

A celebration of life will be held in the spring.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Kathleen E. Doherty (Kathy) nee Clark passed Sept. 22, 2021.

She was a California native and lived in Lakeport for 40 years.

She worked as a waitress for many years then went back to college and became a Certified Alcohol and Substance Counselor who helped at-risk youth.

Kathleen was a friend of Bill W. for 26 years.

She leaves a son, Michael; grandson, Mike; sister, Judith Taylor; brother, Bill Haack; four nieces/nephews; and nine great-nieces/nephews.

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

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — John Thomas Fortino lived a long life surrounded by his family.

He was born in Syracuse, New York, where much of his family still lives, including his sisters, Lena DeGroff and Lisa and Tina Fortino; his brothers, Thomas (Little Tom), Tony, Steve and Jimmy; and cousin, John Jr.

His brothers Tom and Paul Fortino reside in Clearlake, California. The three continued to work construction together up to his death.

He is survived by his children, Theresa Bettencourt of Clearlake and Tim Fortino, of Fallon, Nevada, and many grandchildren, nieces and nephews who love him.

Services will be held at 3 p.m. Friday, Oct. 1, at Jones and Lewis Mortuary in Lower Lake.

Maryetta Helen Andre
May 2, 1929, to Sept. 17, 2021

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Maryetta, age 92, passed away after a short illness.

Maryetta was born in Lake Preston, South Dakota to Ragner Oden and Florence Teresa Heggelund.

They lived in South Dakota until 1942. Her father had passed the previous year and three of her older brothers had been drafted, so the rest of the family moved to San Francisco, California to live with their Auntie Clara and Uncle Holgar Bruun. She graduated from Lincoln High School in San Francisco.

Maryetta married Norman Andre on Aug. 7, 1949. They lived in Tamalpais Valley (which is near Mill Valley).

They had four children before moving to Lake County where they bought a waterfront home in the Buckingham Park subdivision in 1963. The following year their youngest son was born.

In 1968 Maryetta got her real estate license and later her broker’s license and opened their own office with her husband, Andre Associates Real Estate.

Maryetta was active in starting Galilee Lutheran Church and was involved in many county organizations.

Her many interests included reading, sewing, knitting, water skiing, tennis and travel.

Maryetta lived in her home until she was almost 90 when she decided to move to Brookside Assisted Living in Ukiah.

Maryetta is predeceased by her husband, Norman; her parents; and her five brothers, Clarence, Ralph, Alvin, Merel and Norman Heggelund.

She is survived by her five children, Greg (Sue), Paul (Debbie), Janis (John Everett), Doug (Diane) and Erik (Lisa); 14 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

Graveside funeral service will be held on Sept. 29 at Kelseyville Cemetery at 11 a.m.

Pastor Julie Webb of Galilee Lutheran Church will officiate.

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

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Surrounded by family and friends, Terri Ballard passed away peacefully on Sept. 21, 2021, after a short but courageous battle with cancer.

She was born on Jan. 31, 1958, in Santa Rosa, California, to her predeceased father Jim Ballard.

She is survived by her mother, Betty Ballard; her son, Jason Ballard, his wife Tami, and granddaughter Alexis who now reside in Rochester, NY.

She is also survived by her brother, Don, his wife Shauna, nephews Dustin and Brandon and niece Nikki.

Terri graduated from Montgomery High School in 1976.

Terri volunteered her time in the Crohn’s Disease support group in Santa Rosa. She was also very active in the Lake County Community by serving as a volunteer for Totes4Teens, a charity that assisted foster teens during the holidays. She was a caregiver to many families and friends.

Terri also enjoyed rescuing beagles in need of a good home. In many ways she cared for others much more than she cared for herself.

She was a loving daughter, mother, grandmother and friend to many in need throughout her short time with us.

A casual celebration of Terri’s life will be held this Sunday, Sept. 26, from noon until 3 p.m. at Greenview Restaurant in Hidden Valley Lake Golf and Country Club, 19210 Hartmann Road, Hidden Valley Lake.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations in honor of Terri to a charity or animal rescue center of their choice.

Miner Emmett “JR” Cole Jr., age 84, died Friday, Sept. 3, 2021 in Mesquite, Nevada.

He was born Aug. 31, 1937, to Miner Emmett Cole Sr. and Annie Estelle Williamson Cole.

Miner was born in Little Rock, Arkansas. He grew up in Salinas, California, and graduated Salinas High School in 1956.

He enjoyed a long career working as a firefighter for the California Division of Forestry as a fire crew supervisor for the Konocti Camp in Clearlake, California. He retired at the rank of Captain “B.”

After retirement, he worked at Paul’s Market in McCall, Idaho and at Smith’s in Mesquite, Nevada.

He enjoyed music, hot rods, western movies and Boise State Broncos football.

JR’s style was similar to race car driver Richard Petty: Cowboy cool.

He will be dearly missed.

Survivors include daughter, Michelle “Micki” Brown of Salinas; sons, Stephen (Mary) Cole of El Cajon, California; Patrick Cole of Mesquite, Nevada; one grandson, Daniel; and three brothers, Jimmy (Marjorie Ann), Larry (Ramona) and Jerry (Belinda).

Funeral services will be Monday, Sept. 27, at 11 a.m. with a visitation from 10 to 11 a.m. prior at the New Life Church of The Nazarene, 800 N. Main Street, Salinas.

Interment will follow in the Queen of Heaven Mortuary, 18200 Damian Way, Salinas.

Friends and family are invited to sign our online guest book at www.virginvalleymortuary.com.