The Rev. Ruth Canady was remembered at a weekend service. Courtesy photo.

CLEARLAKE OAKS – A private celebration in memory of Rev. Ruth Canady was held Saturday, Aug. 16 at the Clearlake Oaks Community United Methodist Church.

On Sunday evening, Aug. 10, Pastor Ruth had difficulty breathing and was transported to Sutter Santa Rosa the next day. A biopsy of her left lung was performed and due to this procedure and her weakened state, she did not recover. At this writing the cause of her severely damaged lungs have not been determined.

Pastor Ruth’s husband Rev. William Thornton passed away in April 2005, leaving her to carry the torch of dreams for the Clearlake Oaks Church and the community’s integrity. Now it is up to the congregation and the community to keep that torch burning and realize their dream.

She is survived by her children: Charlene Stearns, Cheryl Carzoli, Diana O’Hara, Michael Thornton and Cherri Campbell; her grandchildren: Nathan Dukes, Kelsey Carzoli, Lexi Carzoli, Shannon O’Hara, Jan Bumgarner, Lindsey Campbell, and Kevin and Casey McCormick; and her great-grandchildren, Casey Clarke, Madison Bumgarner and Wyatt Dukes.

The memorable celebration was officiated by Rev. Paula Bishop Paciecha and Rev. Dr. Rick Schlosser; music by Rev. Dr. Rick Schlosser and Jim Coombs.

A special thank you to Rev. Paula Bishop Paciencha, minister of Congregational Care for the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Northern California-Nevada and to Rev. Shannon Kimbal-Auth with the Methodist Church of Lakeport-UCP, who provided the crucial information to contact pertinent parties involved; and to all who prayed and helped put this celebration together so quickly and with great love.

The family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Thornton-Canady Youth and Community Center c/o Clearlake Oaks Community United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 962, Clearlake Oaks, CA 95423, telephone 707-998-9435.

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George cleaning a pool at Harbin Hot Springs in June 1987. The I-Ching Hexagram Gate (Wind over Earth) is behind him. Courtesy photo.

George (Oliver) Elder passed away May 26, 2008 at Lakeport Skilled Nursing Center. George was born October 21, 1936 in Mineral Wells, Texas, son of George Elder and Ethel (Waugh) Elder.

George lived in Lakeport for many years, but began visiting Lake County as a child. He and his family shared many fond memories of Austin Beach in Clearlake in the 1940s.

Beginning in the 1980s, George lived and worked at Harbin Hot Springs before moving to Lakeport.

An avid bicycle rider to the end, George was a steward of the Clear Lake shoreline, removing debris and driftwood from the lakeside at Lakeshore Boulevard and Rainbow Road, near his home. If it weren’t for George’s attentiveness, the many waterfowl and river otters that make that patch of tule reeds their home would have suffered.

Receiving an honorable discharge from the US Air Force in 1961, George will be interred at Hartley Cemetery in Lakeport.

George was my neighbor and I, along with his other neighbors, will miss him. He said he frequented the Lakeport Senior Center. If you knew him, or know anything about possible surviving relatives, please leave a comment below or contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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June was a longtime resident of Lucerne and Clearlake until moving with her son and his family to Maine.

She is survived by her twin sister, Rosemary; daughter, Kathryn; son, William (wife Gloria); grandsons, Edward (wife Megan) and Tyler; granddaughters, Jessica and Melanie; great-granddaughter, Makena; and June's beloved companion, Pepper.

She retired from Lakeside Community Hospital after a 35-year nursing career. June volunteered for many years as a member of the Lucerne Fire Department. She enjoyed traveling, visiting family and friends. She was an avid football fan and bowler for many years. June will be remembered for her sense of humor and her loyal friendship.

Although she wouldn’t want anyone to fuss, there will be a small service to celebrate her life at the Clearlake Methodist Church in Clearlake on April 12 at 10 a.m.

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Kenneth Wickersham died June 22 at age 83. Courtesy photo.

Kenneth Alvin Wickersham of Homewood, Calif., died peacefully in his sleep on June 22, 2008. He was 83 years old.

He was born son of William and Margie Wickersham on August 18, 1924 in Springfield, Mo. He grew up in Hastings, Neb. from early childhood through young adulthood. He attended Platte Valley Academy in Shelton, Neb. for four years, where he met his sweetheart and future wife.

He proudly served his country in the military for three years at the end of World War II. Upon returning home from Europe in 1946, he married his sweetheart and they started a family.

In 1951 they moved to Houston, Texas where he took up auto body repair and then plumbing as trades to support his family. In 1958 he moved his family to California and returned to college where he and his wife, as young parents, completed their college education and began their professional careers.

He completed his master's degree at Pacific Union College in Angwin, Calif., and remained an educator for the remainder of his career, for his beloved church, the Seventh-Day Adventists.

Upon retiring he designed and built his own dream home, on the shores of Lake Tahoe, where he actively lived out the remainder of his life.

He was predeceased by his father, his mother and his brother.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Natalie; his daughter, Jeanette of Clear Lake; and his son, Ron of Napa.

He will be greatly missed by all who knew him, for he was a gentle spirit and a giving person who never hesitated to lend a helping hand to family, friends and neighbors. He now rests in the loving arms of our Savior and Beloved Master, Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Memorial services were held at the Heavenly Valley Seventh-Day Adventist Church in South Lake Tahoe, Calif., on Wednesday, June 25, 2008. Interment and a military graveside service were held at the Lower Lake Cemetery in Lower Lake, Calif. on Friday, June 27, 2008.

Arrangements in care of Truckee-Tahoe Mortuary and Crematory.

Published Friday, July 4, 2008.

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Irene Harmston's remains were carried to Hartley Cemetery in a horse-drawn hearse, recently purchased by Chapel of the Lakes. Mrs. Harmston's funeral was the first use of the hearse. Photo courtesy of Woody Hughes.

Irene passed away peacefully at her home, April 3, 2008, at the age of 74, surrounded by loved ones, after a short battle with cancer. She was born Aug. 9, 1933 in Olympia, Wash., to Joseph and Cora Lawant.

At the age of 12, Irene and her family moved to Palo Alto. She was the youngest of four children. Irene graduated from Palo Alto High School in 1952. Irene married in 1953, and after having three children, moved to Lake County in March 1964. Here she made her home for the past 44 years. She went to work for Bank of America, and after her retirement, worked for a short time at Bank of Lake County.

Irene met and married Norman Harmston after a brief courtship. She volunteered her time to the Lakeport Senior Center and was a current volunteer with the Gleaners. Each year at voting time you would find her sitting on an election board. Irene stayed involved with her church and the VFW.

Irene loved being around people. She looked forward to trips to her sister Pat's. She helped her children with parties and get-togethers. She loved spending time with all of her children and grandchildren. Irene and Norm loved to entertain and play cards with their friends and she was known to occasionally be seen at the casino trying her arm out on the machines.

Irene will be sorely missed by everyone who knew her.

She is survived by her husband of 22 years, Norman Harmston; sister, Patricia Jack; children, Chris (Patrick) Lynch, Vicky (Dave) Cooper, Carol Lima (Steve Winant), Lynn (Sheryl) Harmston and Clayton (Marlene) Harmston; grandchildren, Shannon, Keith, Becky, Dustin, Jon, Molly, Chelsie, Kevin, Zoe, William and Katie Lynn; two great-grandchildren, Larsen and Jacob; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Earl, sister Catherine, brother-in-law Dale Jack, and nephew Dana.

A celebration of life and memorial service was held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 9 at the United Christian Parish, 745 N. Brush Street, Lakeport, officiated by Chaplain Woody Hughes and the Rev. Diana Green followed by a special memorial service by the Ladies Auxiliary VFW Post 2015 at the VFW Post 2015 Plot at Hartley Cemetery.

Family prefers donations in Irene's memory to the American Cancer Society.

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

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She was born to Lars and Clara Fogderud on April 8, 1921 in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada. Esther’s parents were both Norwegian-born and traveled by ship to work in Canada. Later they met in Alberta, married, and homesteaded a farm seven miles out of Burdett, Alberta. They raised three children; Esther was the youngest child. Preceding her in death are her husband, Charles Thomson Grieve; her parents; her sister, Anne Storlien; and brother, Terrance Fogderud.

Esther is survived by an only child, a daughter, Claire Grieve. Many nephews, nieces, cousins and old family friends live in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Norway and Australia.

After growing up on the farm, Esther moved to Lethbridge, a 40-mile train ride from the farm. She candled and graded eggs. She married Charles (Chay) Grieve in September 1946 and a year later they had a daughter. Health problems caused the family to move to a hot, dry climate in Arizona. While living in Mesa, Arizona, Chay worked at the Carnation Dairy. A year later they moved to Eloy, Arizona and purchased a diner. Esther baked and decorated five-tier wedding cakes, pies and wonderful meals in the diner. Twelve years later they both worked at the San Francisco Giants spring training center located in Casa Grande, Arizona. After retiring they enjoyed going to Show Low (near the White Mountains in eastern Arizona). A few years later they moved to Nice, California to be near their daughter. Within that year, Chay had a massive stroke and died four months later. They were married 35 years.

Esther was a longtime member of the Upper Lake Methodist Church, and in the last five years, she enjoyed attending the United Christian Parish in Lakeport. She enjoyed having friends over for “tea parties” to share her baking talents and visiting. She belonged to TOPS over 22 years, with her health a very high priority. She walked a few miles everyday, and at 65 years old she walked in the SF Bay to Breakers with her daughter and friends. She enjoyed the members of the Clear Lake Trowel and Trellis Garden Club, and joining in the planning of all their activities. Esther had a kind heart and the many friends in her lifetime will tell you how special she was.

A memorial service will be held at the United Christian Parish in Lakeport, California at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, March 25, 2008, with coffee and desserts served afterwards. A private service will be held at the Upper Lake Cemetery later in the week.

For further information call Chapel of the Lakes, Lakeport, California, 707-263-0357.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the American Lung Association, Lake County Hospice, or a charity of your choice.

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