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Gerhart "Pete" Frederick William Carl Peters
Gerhart "Pete" Frederick William Carl Peters died peacefully in his sleep in Santa Barbara on Aug. 30, 2004, just three weeks short of his 91st birthday.
Born Sept. 21, 1913, in Roseville, Mich., he was one of five children raised on a farm in rural Michigan. He graduated in 1938 from Michigan State University at Ypsilanti, where he earned a bachelor's degree and a teaching certificate. Following graduation, he taught art in the public schools and marriage Viola Luella Rosevear in 1941.
In 1943, "Pete" as he was known to friends, moved with Viola and his growing family to California. After World War II, he earned a master's degree in painting from UC Berkeley, where he continued as a lecturer in the art department. During this time he joined the Unitarian Church, which became a central part of the rest of his life.
He moved his family to Solana Beach in 1955, where he worked at Convair Aircraft as a draftsman, contributing to the design of the interior of military aircraft. During this time, he and Viola became founding members of The Unitarian Fellowship of San Dieguito. In 1958, he returned to teaching art, this time at San Diego City College.
In his final career move, he worked for the state Department of Education in Sacramento, moving his family to nearby Davis. There, he designed and built his dream home, where the family often hosted Democratic fund-raisers attended by presidential candidates, members of congress and state senators.
He retired in 1981 and moved with Viola back to Southern California, where they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1991 with a gala family reunion. After Viola suffered a stroke, they moved to Santa Barbara to be closer to their daughter, Eliesa.
In later years, he lived at the Vista del Monte Retirement Community. At the time of his death, he was strong in mind and spirit, but weakened physically, spending his days in a wheelchair watching C-SPAN and other various news programs, paying keen attention to world affairs.
His family described him as generous, creative and curious about the world. He never lost his moral compass and stayed true to the progressive and open-minded values of liberal politics. Those who were close to him will always cherish his wry sense of humor, artistic talent, devotion to family, deep wisdom, terrific memory for political and historical details, and his calm and stately presence.
He was preceded in death by his wife Viola, who died in November 1993.
He is survived by his children, Judy Deyo and her husband Fred of Rochester, N.Y., Gary Peters of Belding, Mich., Eliesa Bollinger and her husband Gary of Santa Barbara, and Linwood Peters of Fort Bragg; his grandchildren, Raymond, Diana and her husband Andy, Ryan, Peter, Rachael, Alexis, Lucas, Ethan and Evan; and his great-grandchildren, Bridgit and Cameron.
A celebration of life service will be held on the 91st anniversary of his birth, Tuesday at 10 a.m. at the Unitarian Society, 1535 Santa Barbara St., Santa Barbara.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Unitarian Society of the donor's choice, or to Vista del Monte, 3775 Modoc Road, Santa Barbara, CA 93105.
RAY
Walter John Ray
Walter John Ray died Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2003, at Courtyard Health Care. He was 78 years old.
Born Jan. 29, 1925, Mr. Ray was a Yolo County resident for six years . He was also a high school graduate.
Mr. Ray is survived by his sons, Steve Ray of San Jose and Michael Ray Taylorsville Utah. He is also survived by his daughter, Merilee Ray of Utah.
Mr. Ray will be buried
at the veterans section of the Woodland Cemetery.
North Sacramento Funeral Home is assisting with the arrangements.
RAYMOND
Donna Wills Raymond
Donna Wills Raymond died April 22, 2006, at Sutter Davis Hospital due to complications from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Lou Gehrig's disease. She was 61.
Graveside services begin at 2 p.m. Friday at the Davis Cemetery, 820 Pole Line Road.
Born on May 18, 1944, in Tulare, she was a resident of Davis for 28 years. She was employed as a senior word processor with UC Davis for 20 years, first in the wildlife fisheries and biology department and later in the economics department, where she earned many performance awards.
A natural athlete, she placed nationally in the Junior Olympics in track and field while in junior high school. As an adult, she played soccer for 20 years and helped form the first girls' soccer league in Davis.
In high school, she also was a singer and a dancer in a small band whose members still play music today. Although she was very musically inclined and a strong singer, she was known for her show-stopping dance moves.
In the 1960s, she spent much of her time supporting the civil rights movement and working with terminal cancer patients. She had deep empathy for all living beings; she was both an animal lover and a nature lover. She loved spending time with her family and cats, enjoyed walking on nature paths and visiting bird sanctuaries and was an avid vacationer on the coast of California.
A vibrant storyteller, listener and friend to many, she will be greatly missed, her family says.
She is survived by her husband, Jan Raymond; her daughter, Dusty; and her son, Darren. Through the last years of her illness, she was cared for by many people, including Consuelo Boone and Ida Morrison, who brightened the last years of her life.
TAVERNETTI
Margaret E. Tracy Tavernetti
Margaret E. Tracy Tavernetti died on Feb. 13, 2003, at Courtyard Skilled Nursing Home. Born on May 14, 1907, she was 96 years old.
She had lived in Davis since 1927.
She was preceded in death by her husband James Romero Tavernetti on Jan. 22, 1979. He was a professor at UC Davis for more than 39 years.
She is survived by her daughter Janice Pulford of Lafayette and her husband Robert as well as their children Susan, Robert Jr., Thomas, Sally, Tracy, John and Steven. She is further survived by her son James Tracy Tavernetti of Davis and his children Jennifer, Molly, Lisa and Tracy.
At her request, no service is planned.
Remembrances may be sent to Sutter Davis Auxiliary in the donor's name.
TAYLOR
Alfred Curtis Taylor
Alfred Curtis Taylor passed away on Feb. 7, 1999 at Kaiser Hospital in Sacramento. Born on Dec. 28, 1915 in North Little Rock, Arkansas, he was 83 years old.
Mr. Taylor was a Winters resident since 1976. He received his journalism degree from the University of Ohio, and took his first job in California as information officer for the Veterans Administration. Following that, he worked as an editor and speech writer for the California State Employees Association for 20 years. After leaving the CSEA, Mr. Taylor worked as a freelance editor and writer.
A veteran of World War II, he served in the US Navy in 1941, on the S.S. Griffin. He became an officer and was transferred to the S.S. Moravia. A former Eagle Scout, Mr. Taylor served as Scoutmaster while living in Marin County.
Mr. Taylor had a passion for music and was first violinist in the Ohio State orchestra. He enjoyed collecting classical and modern classical music. He was also a dedicated Democrat, with a variety of interests in social causes, and sponsored a refugee Ethiopian family in the United States, helping them financially, giving their children an opportunity to graduate from college.
Mr. Taylor is survived by his wife of 50 years, Barbara; sons, Jeffrey Taylor of Davis and Curtis Taylor of Winters; grandchildren, Maria Shasta of Davis, Christopher and Travis Taylor of Winters and Nicole Taylor of Round Mountain; and a brother, Bob Taylor.
He was preceded in death by his brother, Hal Taylor, who was killed in World War II.
Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Mr. Taylor's name to Amnesty International, 2314 Isle Royale Lane, Davis, CA 95616.
HERMLE
La Verne Martin Hermle
La Verne Martin Hermle died on Friday, Oct. 7, 2005 in Zamora at the age of 79. A lifelong resident of Zamora, Mr. Hermle was born in that community on May 1, 1926.
A veteran of the U.S. Navy and WWII, Mr. Hermle was a farmer during his adult years. He was also a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge, the Elks Club, and a long time member of the Zamora Volunteer Fire Department.
Mr. Hermle is survived by his wife of 58 years, Jean Hermle. He is also survived by his daughter, Linda and her husband Erik Hellenthal of Roxburg, Ore.; a son, Thomas Hermle and his wife Linda. Other survivors include four grandchildren, Brad and Mark Hellenthal, and Matt and Ryan Hermle; and four great-grandchildren, Tristan and Andrew Hermle, and Jensen and Kathryn Hellenthal.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Julius and Rosie Hermle and a brother Harold Hermle. (Linda) Hermle.
Services: A memorial service is scheduled for 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12, at St. John's United Church of Christ with the Rev. William Schroeder officiating. A private family burial is scheduled at Mary's chapel in Woodland. Memorials can be made to St. John's Retirement Village. Kraft Bros. Funeral Directors is assisting the family with arrangements.
HERNANDEZ
Fidel Lozeno Hernandez
Fidel Lozeno Hernandez died at Cottonwood Healthcare in Woodland Sunday, Aug. 7, 2005 at age 67.
Mr. Hernandez was born July 15, 1938 in San Antonio, Texas to Abraham and Felepia (Lozeno) Hernandez. He relocated to Sacramento in the 1940s. He worked in the automotive field as a laborer and mechanic for more than 15 years.
Survivors include Mr. Hernandez's daughter, Isabel Molina of Marion, Texas; his sons, Fidel Hernandez Jr. of New Braunfels, Texas and Harry Hernandez of San Antonio, Texas; 10 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; his sisters, Andrea, Jamie and Frances Hernandez; and his brother, George Hernandez, all of San Antonio, Texas. He was preceded in death by his wife Jovita Hernandez; his sister, Antonia Hernandez; and his brother, Pete Hernandez.
The family requests memorials in Mr. Hernandez's name be directed to the American Cancer Society, 1765 Challenge Way, Suite 115, Sacramento, 95815.
Services: Private family services are scheduled for 10 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 21 in Marion, Texas. Evergreen Funeral Service of Woodland is assisting the family with arrangements.
