Search for celebrities on Ancestry.com!Walter Robert Couse
A memorial service will be held Tuesday, April 23, at 1 p.m. at Grace Episcopal Church in St. Helena for Walter Robert “Bob” Couse who died April 16.
Kathryn Hammaker
Kathryn E. Hammaker, a long time resident of St. Helena, died in her sleep at Kaiser Hospital in Vallejo April 8. She was 89.
The second of four children born to Ike and Nell Reed, she completed high school in Portland and later marriage Robert Costello. They had one child, James Costello. Following a divorce in 1943, she resumed her career and managed a Safeway store in Portland during the war years. In 1946, she marriage William Webb and moved to the East Bay where she was active as an owner of racehorses and manager of her own “mom and pop” grocery store in Oakland. Twin daughters, Janet and Debbie, were born in 1953. She moved to St. Helena following a divorce in 1961 and operated the Buckhorn Inn on Main Street.
Subsequently, she sold her interest in the Buckhorn and took over management of the Greyhound Bus depot in St. Helena. During this time, she was active in the St. Helena business community and was a member of Soroptomists.
She eventually marriage Roger Hammaker and the couple enjoyed life to the fullest, travelling all over the world. Kay, as she was known to friends, was widowed in 1987. In later years she lived at Silverado Orchards and then moved to Villa del Ray.
She is survived by her sons James Costello of Napa and Jon Webb of Laughlin, Nev.; her daughters Debbie Greenberg of Stockton and Janet Binsbachar of Benecia; and four grandchildren.
She will be interred at St. Helena Cemetery. In accordance with her wishes, there will be no services.
Ercell I. Lehman
A memorial service was held April 17 at Elmshaven Seventh-day Adventist Church in Deer Park for Pastor Ercell I. Lehman, who died at home April 13. He was 80.
Pastor Lehman was born to Samuel and Edna Lehman in Berkeley in 1922.
He graduated from Pacific Union College and Andrews University in Berrien Springs, MI, and was a pastor of the Southeastern California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists and for the Central California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists for nearly 35 years. He was a member of the Mountain View Seventh-day Adventist Church for many years and recently moved from San Carlos to this area where he became a member of the Elmshaven Seventh-day Adventist Church.
He marriage Elizabeth Dilger in August 1946, and, at the time of her death in 1999 they had been marriage 53 years.
He is survived by two sons John Lehman of Deer Park and Jim Lehman of Hamilton Square, NJ.; a brother and sister, Samuel Lehman of Concord; and Loys Getman of Cromberg, Calif; four grandchildren and eight nieces and nephews.
In addition to his pastoral work, his hobbies included traveling, camping, photography and buying and selling automobiles.
Arrangements by Morrison Funeral Chapel.
Ellon Jewell McFall
A funeral service was held for Ellon Jewel McFall, 82, who died at a local convalescent hospital April 10. She was 82.
Born in Monroe, La., to Jefferson and May Pace, she came to Calistoga in 1946 and met William “Bill” McFall. They were marriage in 1949 and Mrs. McFall worked at several Calistoga restaurants over the years. Eventually, she went to work at the Veterans Home in Yountville in 1963. She retired in 1980. She is survived by her husband, Bill, of Calistoga; two daughters, Margaret Humphries and Lynette Price ; a son, William McFall; and grandchildren, Mike and Rhonda Price , Kimberly Price , Samantha McFall, and Willy and Pam McFall. She was preceded in death by four brothers and four sisters. Memorial donations may be made to the Special Olympics of Napa Valley, 456 Franklin Avenue, Napa, CA 94559; St. Luke's of Calistoga, P.O. Box 381, Calistoga, CA 94515; Alzheimer’s Foundation 4340 Redwood Highway, #23, San Rafael, CA 94903; or to the charity of choice.
Arrangements by Morrison Funeral Chapel.
Thelma Louisa Gentry
A memorial service was held April 10 for Thelma Louise Gentry of Napa, who died peacefully in her home April 4 following a two-year illness from cancer. She was 75.
Mrs. Gentry was born in Kansas City, Mo. Feb. 23, 1926 to Ira and Marguerite McIntyre. She and James C. “Clyde” Gentry marriage on Dec. 8, 1941 in Kansas City, shortly before he shipped out to the Pacific.
The Gentrys lived in the Midwest until the late 1950s, when the family moved to Southern Califor-nia. In 1967, they moved to Napa, where Mrs. Gentry worked for many years for Stucco Stone Products. She enjoyed bowling, fishing and gardening, as well as spending time with all of her grandchildren.
Mrs. Gentry is survived by her children, James Michael Gentry and Patrick Steven Gentry, both of Florida; Teresa Ann Axtell of Napa; and Claudia Lynn Eisele of St. Helena; sisters Marjorie Brown, Charlene Murillo and Dorothy Bowman, all of Napa; brothers Billy McIntyre of Missouri; Lloyd McIntyre of Florida; Stanley McIntyre of Missouri; and Bobby McIntyre of Germany; 15 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 53 years, James C. “Clyde” Gentry, in 1994 and by a brother, Ira McIntyre. Arrangements were under the direction of Treadway & Wigger, Napa.
Donald Thorsen Drouin
A celebration of life is being planned at a later date for longtime St. Helena resident Donald Thorsen Drouin, who died April 10 at Kaiser Permanente Hospital in Vallejo. He was 88.
Mr. Drouin was born Oct. 31, 1912 to Emil and Alice Drouin in Alameda. He was a towboat captain for 44 years with Chervon Shipping Company and lived in the St. Helena area since 1956. He was active in the First Presbyterian Church of St. Helena and enjoyed building model steam trains from scratch as well as woodworking and being in his metal shop. He was a descendent of the Thorsen family and a third-generation resident of St. Helena.
Mr. Drouin is survived by his wife of 60 years, Jeanne Drouin of St. Helena; daughter and son-in-law Diane and Jim Aguirre of Preston, Wash.; son and daughter-in-law Larry and Lori Drouin of Richmond; a brother, Howard Drouin of Colma; sisters Carol Ross of Santa Clara and Ila Hodge of Palm Desert; two grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, 1428 Spring St., St. Helena, CA 94574, or to the San Francisco Theological Seminary, #2 Kensington Road, San Anselmo, CA 94960-2905.
Arrangements were under the direction of Morrison Funeral Chapel of St. Helena.
David Matthew Greene of Angwin
Born: January 12, 1964
Died: April 13, 2003
Survivors are his children, Tracy Lynn Greene of Mission Viejo, CA and Alexander Greene of Angwin, CA. Also surviving are his mother, Judy Greene of Angwin; brother, Andrew Greene and wife Allison, and their children, Thacher, Henry and Carysa, of Angwin; brother Robert Greene and wife Connie and their children, Taylor, Madison and Thomas, of St. Helena; sister, Melinda Greene of Charlottesville, Virginia. Also surviving is his former wife, Christy Greene of Angwin. David was pre-deceased by his beloved father, Robert Greene.
David will be remembered always by both his family and many friends. All of us knew if we needed to talk to someone on any matter, either a joyful one or a troubling one, you could call David and he was always there to listen.
He was a senior claims examiner for Athens/Jenkins Administrators in Concord and loved his work at the company and all the people he worked with.
He fought a valiant battle with both M.S. and cancer at his young age and when he finally knew the struggle was ending, he looked forward with confidence to going to be with Jesus and to see his beloved dad again.
Arrangements cared for by Morrison Funeral Chapel, St. Helena, 963-3536.
Anne J. Hamm
Memorial services will be held on Saturday, April 26, at Deer Park-Elmshaven Seventh-day Adventist Church at 2 p.m., for Anne J. Hamm of St. Helena, who died on April 17. She was 87.
Born in Mesa, Colo., in 1915, Mrs. Hamm was an active member of the St. Helena Seventh-day Adventist Church and volunteered at St. Helena Hospital.
Mrs. Hamm is survived by her three children; Judy Crabb and of St. Helena, Carol Ross of Memphis, Tenn. and Paul R. Hamm of Angwin, six grandchildren; E. Tom IV and Peter Stetson, Michael Ross, Marianne Morgan, Lisa and Jennifer Hamm, and four great-grandchildren; Zachary, Chase, Connor and Christina. Mrs. Hamm was preceded in death by her husband, Paul Hamm.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Anne Hamm’s memory to the St. Helena Hospital Foundation, c/o Spiritual Services Endowment, 650 Sanitarium Road, Deer Park, Calif. 94576.
Arrangements made by Morrison Funeral Chapel.
J.J. Meeks
Private services will be held for J.J. Meeks of St. Helena, who died on April 18. He was 78.
Born in Crawford County, Ark., Mr. Meeks was an upholsterer throughout his life.
Mr. Meeks is survived by his three children, Diana Sturdevant of Toledo, Ore., Robert and Michael Earl Meeks; a brother, Wayne Meeks of Phoenix, Ariz.; two sisters, Sandy Boblett and Ann Atherton of St. Helena; and five grandchildren, Jeremy and Mandy Meeks of Salem, Ore., Rebecca Perryman and Micah Lantz of Newport, Ore., and Jamie Lantz of Clackamas, Ore.
Arrangements made by Morrison Funeral Chapel.
Walter Robert Couse
A memorial service was held April 23 for Walter Robert “Bob” Couse, who died April 16. He was 74.
Mr. Couse was born in Long Beach in 1927 and reared in Merced. He graduated from Merced High School, attended UC-Berkeley and Armstrong Business College, and was a member of Phi Sigma Kappa fraternity. During World War II he served in the U.S. Navy. Mr. Couse, a longtime resident of Orinda, was a member of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church there. He and his wife, Elizabeth, moved to St. Helena four years ago. He was a member of Grace Episcopal Church and American Legion Post #199.
In addition to his wife of over 50 years, Elizabeth Prentiss Couse, of St. Helena, he is survived by his daughters Carey Haws of Stateline, Nev., Margaret McGaffigan of Saratoga, and Hilary Prentiss of Angwin; a son, Eric Couse, of Concord; sons-in-law Ryan Haws and Tom McGaffigan; grandchildren Bailey Haws, Kevin Haws, Megan McGaffigan and Owen McGaffigan; a sister Carolyn Frank of Los Osos; a brother in-law Joseph Frank; and nieces, Laura and Dana Frank.
Mr. Couse was preceded in death by his father, Walter Robert Couse, Sr., and his mother, Dorothy Thompson Couse.
Memorial donations may be made in his name to a charity of choice.
Arrangements by Morrison Funeral Chapel.
Jonathon Hamlin
A memorial service was held in Ridgecrest April 22 for.former Ridgecrest resident Jonathon A. Hamlin, who died April 13 at his home in Lake Berryessa. He was 20.
Mr. Hamlin was a resident student at California School for the Deaf in Fremont, Calif., but spent his weekends at his family residence in Lake Berryessa. Mr. Hamlin was best known by family and friends, simply as Jono or John Boy. He was born and reared in Ridgecrest. Shortly after birth, Mr. Hamlin was diagnosed with Dandy Walker Syndrome, which left him totally deaf, unable to speak, and with partial paralysis in half his body, and eventually led to his death.
Despite these handicaps, Mr. Hamlin was full of life and enjoyed the same things that other young boys do - video games, watching TV, remote control cars, camping, dancing, weight lifting, doing push-ups, even driving. He listened to rock and roll music by placing speakers on his knees and feeling the vibration. His favorite activities were anything to do with water sports, but most of all he loved spending time with his family and friends.
For 10 years the DO-DADS, a local horseman’s club, held an annual charity rodeo, where they sponsored a disabled child each year. This event was sponsored by Susan McDonald along with her family and friends. In 1982, the group selected Mr. Hamlin for this honor and made him one of their “DO-DAD Kids.” He was also a member of Ridgecrest’s Desert Area Resource and Training Organization.
Mr. Hamlin is survived by his father, John Hamlin, of Lake Berryessa; his mother, Emily Hamlin; and a brother, Kyle Hamlin, both of Ridgecrest.
Memorial donations may be made to the Parodi Fund, The California School for the Deaf, Fremont Cottage 2, Special Needs Program, 39350 Gallaudet Dr., Fremont, CA., 94538, with the notation: In memory of Jonathan Hamlin.
Arrangement by Richard Pierce Funeral Service.
