Max Foster Ruffcorn Sr.
1952-2025

Max Foster Ruffcorn Sr passed away unexpectedly on September 8, 2025 at his residence in San Marcos, California, at 73 years old.

The family is deeply heartbroken by his sudden death. 

Max is survived by his former spouse, Suzanne, and his children, Max Jr. (Megan), Mary (Eddie) and Oren (Joanna), and also by his grandchildren. Liam, Ezra, Niall and Yiannis.

Max was born in La Jolla on July 6, 1952. He grew up playing baseball and even captained his football team at La Jolla High school.

He attended UC Santa Barbara for his undergraduate years and returned to San Diego County to earn his law degree at Thomas Jefferson School of Law, formerly known as Western State University. He was admitted to the state bar in April of 1980 and practiced law for the next 34 years.

In late 1988, Max moved to Lakeport, California, and began taking root with his former spouse and first-born son.

Though he was incredibly hard-working, he somehow always found time to do more. He taught law classes part-time at the Yuba College Campus in Clearlake, he was mayor of Lakeport twice, City Council member, often a board member of the Kiwanis Club of Lakeport, and coached his children's soccer and little-league baseball teams.

As his children grew and began to leave Lakeport, he took his career to Redding where he retired as the Shasta County senior public defender. 

Once retired he moved to Paradise, California, until his home was lost to the Camp Fire of 2018. 

Max then returned to Southern California to spend his remaining years.

Max was known for being deliberate with his words and for being a free spirited man. He leaves a legacy of passion for community involvement, wanderlust and a love for spending time in the great outdoors. He instilled these tenets in each of his children.

Max will be remembered and missed at every camping trip, every hike in the redwoods and every beach in California.

Gail Eileen (Evans) Wright
March 9, 1951 to Sept. 1, 2025

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. — Gail Eileen (Evans) Wright passed away peacefully at home in Middletown on Sept. 1, 2025, with her dog Arlo on her lap and her husband by her side.

Gail was born March 9, 1951 in the St. Helena Sanitarium in Deer Park, California, now known as St. Helena Hospital in St. Helena.

Her parents, James Norman (Norm) Evans and Mary “Sue” Evans, lived in downtown St. Helena and moved their family to Middletown in 1951 shortly after Gail’s birth.

Gail married her husband, William (Bill) Francis Wright on April 10, 1976, and they had two children, John Christopher Wright, born Oct. 20, 1987, and Ashley Jessica Wright, born April 26, 1989.

Gail was close to and enjoyed her step-daughters, Tracey Anne Bush and Keri Elizabeth Wright, who would come to visit.

Gail and Bill made their home on the S-Bar-S Ranch in Kelseyville, California, from 1977 to 1985.

Their work lives and community ties were in Middletown. In 1977, Gail went to work for Hardester’s Corner Store, now known as Hardester’s Markets. She worked both full-time and part-time over the past 48 years.

Bill made his living as a licensed building contractor mostly in Lake County.

Gail and Bill purchased their current home and property in 1985. Gail would refer to it as a slice of heaven and would often say, “There is no need to leave as we have it all right here except the ocean.”

Gail loved the beach and they would visit the Carmel-Monterey area as often as they could.

Gail was a member of the Methodist Church in Middletown since childhood.

She will be sorely missed by her family and friends.

Gail is preceded in death by her father, James Evans, and her mother, Mary “Sue” Evans.

Gail is survived by her husband, Bill Wright; son, John Wright; daughter, Ashley Wright; step-daughters, Tracey Bush and Keri Wright; grandson, Weston Gunnar Wright; brother, Gary Evans (Marjean); their children, Cheryl, Greg and Sara; and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Curtis Erle Wright died peacefully at his Lakeport home on Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025. He was 80 years old.

A Lakeport resident since 2007, Curtis formerly resided in Maxwell in Colusa County, Fresno and his hometown of Stockton. 

He was a retired youth corrections officer but he most enjoyed working in the California Conservation Corps as a crew supervisor. 

Curtis was an avid reader who enjoyed bicycling, restoring old autos, spoiling his many dogs and RV camping with his family.

Curtis is survived by his wife of 37 years, Linda Green, of Lakeport; his brother-in-law, Michael Green, also of Lakeport; and his sister-in-law, Diane Dickinson of Lodi.

He also is survived by his first wife, Patricia Wright of Brentwood, Calif.; sons, Sean of Port Angeles, Wash., and Brendan and Devin, both of Oakley, Calif.; daughters, Melissa Bicking of Hattiesburg, Miss., and Amanda Kaelin of Jackson, Tenn.; numerous nieces and nephews; and 22 grandchildren.

Private services are planned at a later date.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — David George Mitchell Jr. passed away on Sept. 10, 2025.

He was born in Lakeport, California, on May 7, 1956. 

David will be laid to rest on Sept. 18 at Saint Mary’s Cemetery at 10:30 a.m.

He went peacefully in his home and was survived by his four sons and one daughter.

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

Sandy was born on July 19, 1964, in Stockton, California, and passed on Aug. 24, 2025, at her home in Florida.

She is survived by her sisters, Laurie Martinez and Elainea Rusco; brother, Merton Carter; and many other relatives. 

She is predeceased by her brother, Benjamin Hoelscher Jr.; parents, Benjamin Holscher and Elaine Carter; and her husband, Jack Holcomb. Jack was the love of her life, they were married for nearly 30 years living in their home in Nice, California. 

Sandy was full of life! She would light up a room with her smile and laughter. She loved to crack jokes and would make you feel special in her presence. She was a person who was real — you knew exactly where you stood with her and there were not many people who met her that didn’t like her. She would give to those in need with no hesitation and had a great love for animals. She would do anything for her fur babies, she took great care of them and donated annually to a cat rescue sanctuary, amongst others. 

Sandy loved cooking, gardening and canning, and was a very resourceful woman. She was good at teaching you how as well. Her favorite Disney character was Tigger and she collected figurines of wolves and eagles. I’m not certain why she loved eagles, maybe because they fly in mid heaven and they are strong, bold protectors, fearless and resilient. Eagles are known to fly through storms rather than hide. Just maybe she could relate … in her life’s journey she survived many health issues and persevered through trials with a good demeanor, boldness, awesome strength. She stood firm and strong for herself and for her family when they needed her, ready and always there to protect and show her love and support. 

Sandy, you are greatly missed by us all. 

Please join us for visitation at Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary on Thursday, Sept. 11, from 10 to 11:30 a.m.

Funeral service will follow at 11:30 a.m. with interment at Upper Lake Cemetery.

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

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Amanda “Mandy” Laura Lindeblad-Figg, born May 3, 1982, passed away on Aug. 19, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of love, strength and devotion that will live on through her family.

Mandy, beloved mother, daughter, sister, niece and cherished friend, was raised on the Lindeblad Ranch in Lakeport, California. 

Growing up surrounded by the beauty of country life, Mandy developed a love for adventure and thrill. She spent her younger years snowboarding, wakeboarding and driving her racecar at the Lake County Fairgrounds.

Graduating from Clear Lake High School in Lakeport, Mandy pursued higher education at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, California. 

When her entrance to Cal Poly was delayed, Mandy embraced the opportunity to study abroad for six months at Christ Church University in New Zealand. That time abroad ignited her lifelong love of travel and exploration. In New Zealand, she hiked glaciers and even bungee jumped, embodying her fearless spirit. 

Before returning home, she extended her adventure to Australia, where she spent a week at sea and became a certified diver. Mandy’s life was a blend of courage, curiosity and joy.

Once home, Mandy continued her college study at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, where she graduated with honors. She loved and cherished the small-city charm and ocean vibes of that college town, a place where she made several “Best Friends Forever.” 

It was in San Luis Obispo that she got to know Brian and fell in love, a love that would shape the rest of her life. They married and had twins, a boy and a girl, Easton and Madison.

Those who knew Mandy will remember her as brilliantly smart and wonderfully stubborn; a woman whose determination, sharp mind and keen attention to detail shaped everything she touched. 

She gave the best advice, stood firm in her beliefs and faced life’s challenges with courage and resolve, always guided by her heart. She paid attention to the details that mattered most and made those around her feel connected and loved. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered for her humanity and zest for life.

Mandy was the devoted wife of Brian Figg and the proud, compassionate, adoring mother of 5-year-old Easton and Madison. From the moment they were born, Mandy poured her entire heart into raising them. She celebrated every childhood milestone with boundless pride, filling the air with laughter, comfort and love. Madison and Easton were her world and she was deeply devoted to their happiness and future.

Mandy is survived by her loving husband, Brian Figg; her children, Madison and Easton; her parents, Linda and Mark Lindeblad; her loving Aunt Laura Santarelli (bonus Mom) and Uncle Michael. She was predeceased by her beloved “Papa” Henning Lindeblad.

A celebration of life gathering will take place at the Blue Lakes Lodge from 2 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 27.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the “Go Fund Me/Brian Figg” account, honoring Mandy’s greatest joy and proudest legacy — Madison and Easton. Mandy’s love for her children will forever be the light that guides them through life.

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