December 12, 2013

Today I lost the love of my life, Barbara Ann Ruelas. She was born Oct. 26, 1949.

Barbara got lung cancer 12 years ago and fought through it with several different types of treatments.

Again in 2007 she got colon cancer and after several months of chemo and radiation, she pulled through. She was a tough one for sure.

Last March it came back and this time it overtook her only after nine months of chemo.

After the past week in St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake, they let hospice bring her home. Got a bed for the front room and all the love they offer.

Barbara got her last wish to spend some time with her puppies in her beautiful home.

Last night Jesus took Barbara home. All she wanted when I met her was a home of her own for her puppies to grow old and pass away in, and it all came to pass. Bless you Barbara.

She leaves a son, Jimmy Gray, his wife, and grandchildren Malory and Mike; and a daughter, Shelly, who lives in Kentucky. She also leaves Eric “Bro Zeke” Eberhardt, Lacy and Elvis, the family.

Her grandson Jesse will be heartbroken, but nobody will miss Barbara like I do, forever. Seven years wasn’t enough honey, I’ll see you later.

All my love,

Zeke

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Waymon J. Palmer, born March 18, 1934, passed away Dec. 13, 2013, at the age of 79.

He is survived by his wife, Dorothy, and their family.

At his request, no services will be held.

Arrangements by Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, Lakeport.

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” – Psalm 91:1.

KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – Brandon Brian Helmer was taken to be with our Lord on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2013.

Brandon was born on June 14, 1987, in Modesto, Calif.

He moved to Lakeport in March 2010 to start a new job, bringing his family with him. Brandon had just purchased a home for his family in Kelseyville in February 2013, where he was currently residing. He worked for TCS Metals at the Lakeport Transfer Station since March 2010.

Brandon and his wife, Kate, attended Grace Church in Kelseyville. Brandon was involved in the children's Awana Program at Grace Church as a leader, and was involved as a church usher.

Brandon knew no strangers. He had a charisma that made everyone that met him immediately like him. He was always trying to learn new things, such as speaking Spanish from the men he worked with and customers he grew to know at the transfer station.

He had a way of making everyone around him laugh, even when you wanted to be mad at him.

Brandon was so in love with God and his family. He leaves behind his wife, Kate Helmer; his three daughters, Kameron, 8, Audrey, 5, and Maylee, 3; and a new baby that is due in June.

He also is survived by his mother Annie Yarnell and stepfather Richard Yarnell of Modesto; three sisters, Maranda Yarnell of Monterey, Marissa Yarnell of Modesto and Amber Helmer, who resides in Idaho; and his grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.

There will be a celebration of life service at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, at Grace Church, 6716 Live Oak Drive, Kelseyville.

Donations can be made online at http://www.gofundme.com/5nt0ro .

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Robert “Bob” John Okulove went to be with the Lord Dec. 15, 2013.

He was born May 20, 1939, to Walter and Katherine Okulove in San Francisco. He attended Capuchino High School in San Bruno, Calif.

Bob served his country in the Army from 1958 to 1963. He moved to Lake County and joined the Lake County Sheriff's Office in 1963.

After a short courtship he married the love of his life, Carolyn Sorensen in April of 1966.

After almost 11 years as a deputy sheriff, Bob left the sheriff's office and sold insurance for a short time. In 1977 he began working for the Konocti School District as a groundskeeper and retired after 21 years.

Bob was an active member of the First Assembly of God Church in Clearlake.

He is survived by his loving family, including wife, Carolyn; children, Karol (Randy) and Timothy (Lindsey); grandchildren, Megan (Tyler), Brandon, Madison and Ryan; great-grandson, Tanner; siblings, Alexis and Walter; numerous nieces, nephews and many cherished friends.

Memorial services will be held at the First Assembly of God Church in Clearlake at 1 p.m. Saturday. Dec. 21. Rev. Steve Snyder will officiate.

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

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – Nancy Grebnau passed away Dec. 1, 2013, at the age of 74.

She leaves behind her children, Sharesa, Sheena, Christina, Shori Price, Trina Denton, Daniel Rice, Danice, Andrew, Alicia, Oliver Bond, Vicki, Nicole, Cory Warden, Mike Fontaine, Tamara Ryan and Joshlyn Rector Grebnau.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Eric.

CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – A memorial service for Richard and Dorothy Mertz of Clearlake Oaks will be held this Saturday, Dec. 14.

The service will begin at 3 p.m. at Clearlake Oaks Community United Methodist Church, 12487 The Plaza. Pastor John Pavoni will officiate.

Richard “Dick” Mertz, 78, died recently at the Veterans Hospital in Livermore.

His wife, Dorothy “Dottie” Baines Mertz, 84, died May 11.

Dottie Mertz was born March 18, 1929, in Pickens County, Alabama.

She was an active member of Clearlake Oaks Community United Methodist Church. Dottie was loved dearly by family and friends, including friends of her longtime residence in Clearlake Oaks. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Richard Mertz was born Sept. 13, 1935, in Williamsport, Penn.

He joined the Navy when he was 17 and was an Aviation Electronics Technician AT2 1952-1956 with VP-21 in Brunswick, Maine and served from 1958-1962 with VP-30 and flew on the P-2 Neptune. He was awarded the National Defense Ribbon during his first enlistment. He was an Electronics Technician at Kaiser Electronics.

Richard was an avid fisherman and hunter. He was most at peace while in the woods, field, lake, pond or stream. Richard will be greatly missed by friends and family.

Dottie was preceded in death by her parents, Sam W. Baines and Lucy Plowman Baines of Gordo, Ala., and her brother, Joe Baines.

Richard was preceded in death by his mother Emma “Sue” Totten and stepfather Marvin Totten of Clearlake Oaks.

Together, their survivors include sons, Jerry W. Smith of Gordo and Terry Smith (Marie) of Tuscaloosa; daughter, Ann Nyberg (John) of Modesto, Calif.; Dottie's sister, Louise Huffman of Gordo; Dottie's brother, Dale Baines (Linda) of Gordo; six grandchildren, Ronald Smith (Tania) of Reno, Nev., Jennifer Smith of Tuscaloosa, Jessica Harcrow (Chris) of Tuscaloosa, David Nyberg of Modesto, Calif., Victoria Murti (Ben) of Orange County, Calif., and Soll Avelino (Karla) of Valley Village, Calif.; and 10 great-grandchildren.