George Gerne, a resident of Lakeport, Calif., previously of Napa, passed away Aug. 11, 2012.

George lived in this area since 1937, attended Pacific Union College and Mortuary College of San Francisco.

He married Virginia Ritz and had three children, Lynette, Ronald and Chris.

George built many houses, worked as a mortician a number of years, owned Hinkie & Gerne Building Supply, then returned to his real life's love, interior design, owning Gerne Interiors of Napa.

After the loss of Virginia, his wife of 60 years, he married Norma Burton of Lakeport and spent his remaining years in Lakeport.

A private crypt interment was at St. Helena Cemetery.

A memorial will be at 4 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 25 at the Seventh-day Adventist Church, 1920 Finnell Road, Yountville, Calif.

For further information contact Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 707-263-0357 or 707-994-5611.

Raymond “Ray” J. Schultz
Sept. 27, 1935 – Aug. 13, 2012

Ray passed away at home after months of battling cancer, surrounded by his family and friends giving him love and support over these last few months.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth; sons, Richard, Robert and Michael Schultz; daughter, Carolyn Perez; grandchildren, Timothy, Ricky, Mary Elizabeth, Bobbi “Honey,” Robert Jr., Christina, Patricia and Alex; seven great-grandchildren; stepchildren Gary, Jo-Ann, Stephen and Michael Simonetta, and Janice Blanks; as well as many nephews and nieces.

Ray was born in Mandan, North Dakota, to Helen and Peter Schultz.

A former resident of Richmond, Calif., he worked as a carpenter for over 25 years where he was a member of Carpenters Union No. 152 and remained a member for over 50 years.

He retired in Clearlake with his wife Ruth in the early 1980s. He especially enjoyed being a part-time employee at Foods Etc. – IGA, where he was awarded with a plaque for “Employee of the Century” and made many friends.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, Aug. 25, at 12:30 p.m. at Jones & Lewis Clearlake Memorial Chapel, 16140 Main St., Lower Lake.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice Services of Lake County, 1717 S. Main St. Lakeport, CA 95453.

Arrangements entrusted to Jones & Lewis Clearlake Memorial Chapel, Lower Lake, telephone 707-994-6417, www.jonesandlewis.com .

A memorial service for longtime Lake County resident James “Leroy” Benefield will be held on Saturday, Aug. 25.

The service will take place from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Lakeport Senior Center, 527 Konocti Ave., Lakeport.

Benefield died Aug. 7 after a brief battle with throat cancer.

Dave Stevens
Jan. 6, 1943-Aug. 1, 2012

Dave Stevens passed away earlier this month after a battle with cancer.  

In his youth, Dave served in the USAF from 1963 to 1967 as a flight mechanic. After which, he worked in the semi-conductor industry in the Bay Area prior to moving to Clearlake Oaks. He certainly chose the right place to retire as he was an avid sportsman.  

He enjoyed fishing, particularly with his brothers and friends. As a family man, he celebrated in camping and hunting particularly with his children and grandchildren.  

Dave’s other passion was bowling. Ever looking for that perfect 300, he did reach 299 which gave him great joy.

Dave was preceded in death by his parents Frank and Delora Stevens. He is survived by his wife Virginia; daughter, Debbie Hester of Livermore; and his son, Michael of Clearlake Oaks.

He also leaves his brothers: Boyd of Lodi, Calif.; Larry of Kingwood, Texas; Johnny of Creve Coeur, Ill.; and Jimmy of McCloud, Calif. He also is survived by his grandchildren, Amber and Jeremy Hester, who will now have to do their fishing and camping with other family members.

A celebration of Dave’s life will be held on Saturday, Aug. 25, at the Clearlake Oaks Community-United Methodist Church, 12487 The Plaza in Clearlake Oaks.

In lieu of flowers the family requests that donations be sent in Dave’s name to the Saint Helena Foundation, in care of Martin O’Neil Cancer, 10 Woodland Road, Saint Helena, CA 94574.

George Tanner McQueen Sr. passed away peacefully July 25, 2012, in Sacramento, Calif., at the age of 84.

His life began on May 27, 1928, in Shelbyville, Ind., the only child to Noble and Marie McQueen.

His life continued west to California where he attended and graduated from McFarland High School in 1946 and continued his education at Glad Tidings Bible College (later named Bethany Bible College) in San Francisco, Calif., where he earned a bachelor of arts degree and ministerial license in 1949.  

By God’s divine providence, salvation came in the guise of a young woman named Olive and they were married April 19, 1948.

George pastored and planted churches throughout Northern California including Dixon, Lower Lake, Fort Bragg and Hidden Valley Lake. Along with pastoring these churches, he was integral in their construction, helping build two new church buildings along with many residential homes which he built with his son, Mike.

George served as a district presbyter for the Northern Section of the Assemblies of God from 1960 to 1970. He also helped manage Floyd Fultz’s Pear Orchard and Nursery, dabbled in real estate, and, in his 70s, drove a late night courier shift throughout Sonoma County.

George loved many aspects of life. He loved to read, follow the SF Giants and 49ers, Stanford Cardinals and listen to his beloved Country Gospel music.

He and Olive were permanent fixtures on the gym bleachers at Kelseyville and Clear Lake High School, where he watched his sons and grandchildren play sports and music. If you listen closely, you can still hear his booming voice “expressing his opinions” to the referees and umpires.

George cherished his wife, family and friends. His gregarious, honest demeanor could engage anyone in conversation and, to those who knew him, his voice was ever present in their lives.

Above all, George exhibited his devotion to Christ and built a legacy for those around him of faith and prayer. He was always praising, thanking, questioning and worshiping his Creator, even in the most difficult times.  

At the age of 78, he traveled to Siberia, Russia on a mission trip for two weeks. On that trip, he ministered numerous times and helped with construction on the new church building. He continued his active lifestyle until his death last month.

George is survived by his wife of 64 years, Olive; sons, George Jr., Michael and David McQueen; daughters-in-law, Marsha and Tamah McQueen; seven grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Noble and Marie McQueen, and daughter-in-law Mary (Beth) McQueen.

There will be a service of celebration to honor his life on Saturday, Aug. 25, 2012, at 1 p.m. at Lakeport Christian Center, 455 N. Forbes St, in Lakeport, Calif, the same church where he and his bride were married 64 years ago.

Donations in lieu of flowers can be given to George’s lifelong passion, the establishing of Home Mission Churches at: Home Missions (Assemblies of God), Acct. 26120010, P.O. Box 293510, Sacramento, CA 95829-3510.

Franklin V. Smothers, WWII Veteran, born June 28, 1929, passed away unexpectedly Aug. 7, 2012.

He was preceded in death by his two children, James and Janie; grandson, K.R.; and son-in-law, Gary Evans Sr.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years of marriage, Margaret; and his children, Frankie, Evelyn and Kenneth; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held at 9 a.m., Wednesday, Aug. 15, at Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, Lakeport, with a graveside service to follow at Hartley Cemetery, Lakeport.

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