LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Rico L. Orton was born July 13, 1942. He was 71 when he passed away in his home.

Rico went peacefully in his sleep Friday, May 23, 2014, at 8:30 a.m.

He was the loving husband of Michele for 26 years. He was a devoted and loving father of his six children, including three sons, Richard, Gilbert and Joshua, and his three daughters, Charlotte, Julie and Nancy.

Rico was a proud grandfather of 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He also leaves nieces and nephews, his father Don and two sisters, Judi and Diane. He will be greatly missed by Aunt Alene and Uncle Dick and loved by many, many friends. Rico will be missed so much!

Now, Sweet Heart, you hurt no more. You are now our angel at home with the Lord and your two children, Leo and Rosalie, your mother Marge, your brother Ken and Vera. We love you always.

A remembrance service will be held at at 6844 Hammond Ave. in Upper Lake on Saturday, June 7, at 1 p.m.

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Gary J. Lopez, 62, was born in Glendale, Calif., on Sept. 2, 1951, and died June 3, 2014, in Lakeport.

Gary grew up in Avenal, Calif., where he acquired the nickname “Red” (For obvious reasons). He was an outstanding athlete and even better friend.

After graduation from Avenal High in 1970 he attended West Hills College. After West Hills Gary moved to Bakersfield and began work in the oil fields. In the mid-1970s he started an overseas stint that would include work in Libya and the North Sea.

At his brother's wedding in 1978 he met Wanda Holson, whom he married in 1982. Their first son Phill was born in 1983, and shortly afterward they moved to Lakeport where Gary started work in the geothermal industry – a career that would last for 30 years. Life in Lakeport two more sons, Matt in 1984 and Tony in 1988.

Gary was a people person. He consciously maintained close relationships with friends over time and distance. He considered them family.

One of the highlights of each year was the PAR Chaser Classic Golf Tournament. For over 30 years he and a large number of friends would get together for golf, story telling, insults and laughter.

A few weeks before his death a large group of close friends came a long way to have their last party with him. He had the time of his life.

As he recently said to his sons: “Stay close, it's up to you. You either do it or you don't.”

Gary did it, and he did it well. His smiling face will be missed by all. Vaya con Dios!

Gary is survived by his wife, Wanda; sons, Phill, Matt and Tony; brother, Mark (Karen); uncle, Dave Lopez; and numerous nieces and nephews; and dear friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Robert and Evelyn and brother Robert.

Services will be held at St. Mary Immaculate Catholic Church, 801 N. Main St., Lakeport on Saturday, June 7, at 11 a.m.

For further information call Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611 or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com .

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Services for Bessie Wilds will be held at Kelseyville Cemetery, 3375 Bell Hill Road, Kelseyville at 1 p.m., Thursday, June 5.

A reception will follow.

For further information call Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com .

In loving memory of
Ralph Wyndolyn Braun
May 26, 1932 – June 2, 2014

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Ralph passed away in St. Helena Hospital following a brief illness. He was 82.

Dedicated husband, loving father and wonderful friend to many.

His involvement and donations to his communities are too numerous to mention.

A US Navy veteran, serving on a aircraft carrier during the Korean Conflict, Ralph will be laid to rest in the Pacific Ocean.

Owner of R.W. Braun Lathing and Plastering Co. of Napa for 33 years.

Ralph was born in Topeka, Kansas, to Pete and Dorothy Braun. He was a faithful member of the Napa and Clearlake Catholic churches.

He moved to Lake County in 1994.

Ralph’s survivors include his wife of 58 years, Mary; their children, Debra and Charles Braun, Pamela West-Blohm and son, Thomas West, deceased; four grandchildren, Barbara and Steven Akers, Amber Walker and Chad Miles; eight great-grandchildren; sisters, Regina Wallace of Brandon, Ore., and Catherine Applehans of San Diego; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He will be greatly missed.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to their local Catholic Church Memorial Fund.

Please sign Ralph’s online guest book at www.jonesandlewis.com .

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Michelle Pritam Singh Long was taken from her family suddenly on May 22, 2014, as a result of an automobile accident.

She was born on July 25, 1975, in Yuba City, Calif., to Mahandra and Cheri Singh.

Michelle’s family relocated to Clearlake in 1983 to be near her grandparents. Here, she went to grammar and high school, got married and raised her two children.

Michelle then moved to Lompoc, Calif., in 2009.

Michelle is survived by her children, Xae-Li and Andrew Long; parents, Mahandra and Cheri Singh; and her sister, Christina Singh.

Michelle was very much loved by those who knew her and will be dearly missed.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 7, at the First Assembly of God, located at 40th and Snook in Clearlake.

Please visit www.jonesandlewis.com to sign Michelle’s online guest book.

Martin López Cueva
1921- 2014
 
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Martin López Cueva, 92, passed away on Tuesday, May 27, surrounded by his devoted wife of 70 years, Maria de Jesus, and their 10 loving children, Enrique, Ampelia, Natividad, Jesus, Lety, Marcos, Martin, Juan, Maria “Dubie” and Armando, many of his grandchildren, extended family and friends.
 
Martin was born on Nov. 11, 1921, in Santa Marta, Jalisco Municipio de Tecolotlan, Mexíco, to Manuel Lopez (deceased) and Marta Cueva (deceased).

Martin married Maria de Jesus on May 25, 1944. Prior to his passing they had just celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary.
 
Martin visited California in the mid-1970s and moved his family to Upper Lake in 1978 where he worked at Seely’s Orchard until he retired.

Once retired, he was able to focus more on his garden and growing enough vegetables for his wife to store for the off-season.

Martin moved his family to the USA in search of what every immigrant searches for – a better life. His goal was to provide opportunities that he did not have.

He worked hard to provide for his family. He taught his children to be hard workers and humble. He was the center of the family with his “witty” sense of humor but what he loved the most was watching his family expand. Every grandchild was a gift to him.   
 
Martin will be missed by all who knew and loved him.

He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Maria de Jesus; 10 children, Enrique (Irma), Ampelia (Luis), Natividad (Rosa), Jesus (Lynn), Leticia "Letty" (Joaquin), Marcos (Norma), Martin (Cristina), Juan (Renee), Maria “Dubie” (Gonzalo), Armando (Leria); many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; brother, Agustin (Elvira); and many, many extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his children Felipe and Antonio; brother, Jesus; sisters, Josefina and Maria; and his parents, Manuel and Marta.
 
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, May 31, at 10 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 801 N. Main St., Lakeport.

The family invites you to join them after Mass at the Upper Lake Cemetery at 870 Clover Valley Road, Upper Lake.

For further information call Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611, or visit www.chapelofthelakes.com .