Diana Smitham-Martini. Courtesy photo. LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Diana Marie Smitham-Martini, age 45, entered into eternal rest April 15, 2021 due to an automobile accident on Highway 50 near Placerville, California.
Diana was born in Guyana, South America, on Jan. 7,1976, but spent most of her life in the United States.
Diana started her nursing career in Washington State, earning her Licensed Practical Nurse, or LPN, degree.
After she moved to California, she pursued her passion for nursing, going back to school to update her license for California as an LVN. She was working on her RN degree, with only a couple of more classes to go.
Diana was working at Redwood Cove Healthcare Center in Ukiah, California. She was regarded as “the light of the facility” and had a positive impact on her co-workers and patients.
“Her smile and laugh would brighten any room she entered,” they said.
During the Ranch Fire in 2018, her patients had to be evacuated from Lake County. She and her family followed her patients so she could continue taking care of them. She had an amazing soft spot for the elderly, and chose to work in convalescent hospitals.
Diana accomplished her dream of nursing all while raising a family.
Although they were separated, Diana is survived by her husband, Steven Martini; her children, Chase Vestre, Jerrod Ankeny and Paige Martini; and step-son, Garret Martini.
She is also survived by her siblings, Blake Correia of Toronto, Canada, Karen Hopkins (Pat) of Lake Stevens, Washington, Bobby Ranahan (Scott) of Everson, Washington, Guy Smitham (Rachel) of Helena, Montana, and Paul Smitham (Donise) of Sacramento, California; and her Witter Springs Ranch family.
She will be forever remembered by many. Although gone, she will never be forgotten.
Due to the pandemic, there will be no memorial service. A private celebration of her life will be held with her family.
Inez Sands. Courtesy photo. Inez Lucille Sands (Sanders), 76, passed away on Friday, March 12, 2021, in Sacramento, California.
Inez was born on July 11, 1944, in Monterey, California.
Inez was predeceased by her husband, Stanford Sands; her first husband and father to her three children, Roger Smith Sr.; daughter, Deanna Smith; granddaughter, Paula Smith; sisters, Severine Mitchell (Boggs), Gertrude Lozano (Boggs) and Darlene (Imogene) Boggs; and parents, Minerva Downs and James Sanders Sr.
Inez is survived by her daughter, Polly Smith-Juarez of Hopland; son, Roger Smith of Nice; brothers, James Sanders Jr. (Sam) of Lucerne and Earl Sanders (Mick) of Nice; 10 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Our mom, grandma, auntie, cousin, friend will be missed immensely. Mom had something so special about her personality making everything more exciting. Her smile and the love she showed us will always be in our hearts.
Mom was a very thoughtful person, she had gifts saved with someone special in mind. She always had lots of extras for any event or outing. We were prepared and comfortable. All the kids gathered around her to see what surprise or snacks were about to be given.
Mom raised many children and we are forever thankful for her keeping us connected and taking care of us the best way she could. We stayed connected to our cultural heritage, and mom was devoted to her church services. Mom also enjoyed playing bingo and gambling later in life.
Loretta Lynn and Conway Twitty were her favorite singers. I will always think of mom when listening to old country music.
We had fun swimming, going to Bigtimes, birthday parties, graduations, oh man we did lots of stuff together. Her famous potato salad will live on through her kids. She showed up to all the gatherings no matter what. We spent quality time together and laughter.
Mom was a good friend to many, loved talking on the phone making that connection, her bestie was Linda Cooper of Upper Lake.
Mom was a homemaker most of her life. Although, I remember her going to beautician school to do hair in the late 70s, possibly early 80s. She would give perms like nobody’s business, I know I loved mine.
Words cannot express the love we shared. We are so blessed to have had all those many years making cherished memories. Fly high our beautiful angel. Until we meet again. OH!
Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com.
Inez Sands, center, and her family. Courtesy photo.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – Charles Eddie Linker, 84, died April 23, 2021, at his Lakeport home.
Charles was born Nov. 24, 1936, in Arkansas, to Harley and Alice Linker.
After retiring from Pacific Bell, he spent time with friends and family, traveled and played guitar. He was known for his sense of humor and joke-telling. Charles, aka Charlie, was also a very proud volunteer for the Lake County Sheriff’s Department.
Charles is survived by his loving wife, Leta Ruth Linker of Lakeport; sons, Steven Linker and Charles Jr. Linker (wife Debby); and many grand, great-grand and great-great-grandchildren.
Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com.
Matt Perry. Courtesy photo. Heber Matthew “Matt” Perry passed away on April 24, 2021, in Logan, Utah, due to complications from pancreatic cancer.
Matt was born on Dec. 22, 1960, in Polson, Montana, to Bob and Maxine Perry as the third of five children. The family moved to Oylen, Minnesota, where he grew up on a dairy farm and graduated from Staples High School in 1979.
Following high school, Matt attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, for one year before serving as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on the Navajo Reservation in Holbrook, Ariz. He loved the people he served and remembered those times with fondness.
Upon concluding his two-year mission, he returned to BYU where he eventually met his eternal sweetheart, Julie Opager, while working as early-morning janitors in the library. On Aug. 21, 1984, they were married in the Salt Lake City Temple for time and all eternity.
Matt graduated from BYU with a bachelor’s in history in 1985 and a Master’s of Public Administration in 1987.
His first job following graduate school led Matt and Julie to Lakeport, California, where they raised their family.
In Lakeport, he worked for the county of Lake as an administrative analyst and retired 28 years later as county administrative officer. He enjoyed advocating for how local government could make a real impact in people’s lives.
In 2016, Matt and his wife retired to Cache Valley, Utah, where he also worked in human resources for Utah State University.
A man of service, Matt fulfilled his call to serve in many roles in the Church of Jesus Christ including a counselor to five bishops, Sunday school teacher, regional church leadership positions and personal minister to look after the needs of individuals and families in the local congregation.
While living and working in Lakeport, Matt enjoyed a wealth of close personal and professional relationships and associations.
One of his most cherished opportunities was serving the youth as a young men’s leader and also as a scoutmaster for nine years in Troop 39 of the Boy Scouts of America. He supported and facilitated numerous young men in achieving the rank of Eagle Scout, but most importantly, he demonstrated a stalwart commitment to living values while having fun.
He taught young men that the hard work to achieve a goal is “well worth it” – even if it was finishing a steep climb on a mountain or long hike to enjoy the post-event treat at Taco Bell or wherever the young men wanted to go. The young men hold many of these memories close to their hearts because they knew Matt cared about them.
He was known for acting younger than his age as he played tackle mud football with the youth until he was nearly 50 years old.
A committed and engaged father, his interests and hobbies included anything that could bring him closer to his family: attending sports games, traveling, hiking, working on home improvement projects and coaching his children’s soccer teams.
A devout follower of Jesus Christ, he demonstrated a humble approach to life. Even as his cancer progressed, he pondered what he was supposed to learn from living with his terminal illness and how he could show faith in God.
He is survived by his wife of over 36 years, Julie Perry; his mother Maxine Perry; his children McKay (Keri) Perry, Ashley (Jace) Smellie, and Chandler Perry; his siblings Teresa (Gary) Bentz, Joan (Duane) Ash, Mark (Wendie) Perry, Karen (Dan) Schueller; and his granddaughters Elizabeth, Margaret, Lydia, and Sloane.
Those who knew and loved Matt will always remember his kind heart, his willingness to serve and his devoted love of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. He lived his life as a true disciple of Christ, and his family believes and knows that he continues that discipleship on the other side. He passed away in his home surrounded by his loving family.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network or a local food bank in your area.
Funeral services will be held in-person on Saturday, May 1, at 10 a.m. MDT at the Henry’s Point Ward Chapel, 680 South 1250 West, Logan, Utah 84321. Masks and social distancing will be observed. Friends and family are invited to a viewing at 9 a.m., and interment will be at the Logan City Cemetery following the services.
The funeral will also be broadcast on Zoom. To receive access to the link, please fill out this form and we will send you an email with the meeting link and passcode.
Lenard Pyzer. Courtesy photo. LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Surrounded by his family, Lenard went peacefully home to be with Jesus on April 20, 2021, at the age of 92.
Lenard was born on Dec. 29, 1928, in Tryon, Nebraska.
He was one of five children born to Lisle and Erma Pyzer. Growing up he played basketball for his high school, and after graduation his local town team.
Lenard’s father was a local carpenter, and he began helping his dad with carpentry at the age of 12. The skills his father taught him would eventually pave the pathway to his own career as a contractor for 60-plus years.
At the age of 24, he was set up on a blind date with his future wife, Rose.
Prior to their date, Rose decided she wanted to see what this blind date looked like before she went out with him, so she set off to see him play in the town basketball game.
Lenard just happened to be driving down the road as she made her way to the game, so he stopped. They drove to the basketball game together and he asked her to hold his watch while he played basketball. He never did ask for his watch back and that very watch was on her wrist at their wedding.
Rose and Lenard were married on May 26, 1954. They had their first son, Russ, in Nebraska and moved to California in 1958 so Lenard could help his uncle build his home in Ukiah.
They eventually moved to Lakeport where Lenard partnered in construction with a different uncle. It was there they had their other four sons; Marnin, Joel, Zachary and Jeremy.
After the passing of his uncle, Lenard began contracting on his own. They eventually moved to Hidden Valley Lake in 1983.
Lenard was a man of deep faith. His service in the churches he belonged to was very important to him. He used his carpentry skills to build pulpits and various cabinets for many ministries in and out of this county.
His family was the center of his life. He had a deep love and devotion for his wife. Her happiness, safety and well-being was of the most importance to him. His love for his sons was unconditional and his pride in each of them unwavering.
He was a man of little words who taught us all so much with his genuine kindness, humble ways, gentle spirit, selfless giving, quick wit and sense of humor.
Lenard is survived by his wife of 66 years, Rose Pyzer; his sons, Russ Pyzer (Glenda), Marnin Pyzer (Jennifer), Joel Pyzer (Davina), Zachary Pyzer (LeAnne) and Jeremy Pyzer (Shanna); sister, Lila Stoddard; brother, Lowell Pyzer; 20 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.
He is proceeded in death by his parents, Lisle and Erma Pyzer; brothers, Gerald Pyzer and Loren Pyzer; grandson, Ryan Depp; in-laws, Von and Mae Paxton; and sister in-law, Bess Paxton.
Lenard will be greatly missed by his family. His legacy will live on in all who loved him. We are all blessed to have had him in our lives to love, and we are deeply blessed to have been loved by him.
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