Edgar "Shorty" McDowell
January 14, 2004
Dairy rancher, native Petaluman
Edgar "Shorty" McDowell, 89, died in Petaluma Jan. 7, 2004.
A dairy rancher for 69 years, Mr. McDowell was a member of St. John's Episcopal Church, the Marin County Farm Bureau and the Associated Dairymen.
Son of the late William and Emily McDowell, he is survived by his sisters, Agnes McCall and Annabelle Henning, both of Petaluma, and many nieces and nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews.
Friends may call at Parent-Sorensen Mortuary and Crematory, Magnolia Avenue and Keokuk Street, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 16. Funeral services are set for 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 17, at St. John's., 40 Fifth St. Interment will be at Cypress Hill.
Contributions to a favorite charity may be made in memory of Mr. McDowell.
Robert Martinez
October 22, 2003
Longtime Petaluma resident
Robert Elias Martinez, a Petaluma resident for a number of years, died Oct. 13, 2003, in Lakeport.
He is survived by his children, Gina Hipwood, Chris Martinez, Stephanie Martinez, David Martinez and Rachel Martinez, and eight grandchildren.
Services have been held. Contributions in Mr. Martinez's memory may be made to Lakeport Hospice.
Arrangements were by Adobe Creek Funeral Home.
Paul Mace
January 28, 2004
Linen service owner
Paul G. Mace, "The Ragman," died in Petaluma Jan. 20, 2994.
A Pennsylvania native, Mr. Mace came to California in 1976 and settled in the Petaluma area 20 years ago. He owned and operated Ragman Services, an industrial linen service based in Petaluma.
Mr. Mace is survived by his wife, Rosanne Mace of Petaluma, children Paul Mace of New Jersey and Kelly Mace of Petaluma, two grandchildren and sister Janice Dixon of Pennsylvania.
Private services have been held. Arrangements were by Adobe Creek Funeral Home. Contributions may be made to a favorite charity.
Anne Lopez
September 15, 2004
Beautician
Anne Lopez, a Western Avenue beautician for over half a century, died Sept. 12, 2004. She was 90.
Born and brought up in St. Helena, her parents were Italian immigrants. Her father was in the olive oil business.
She attended beauty school in San Francisco, then opened A and B Beauty Shop on Western Avenue. "She gave it that name," her daughter, Barbara Lopez-Katz said, "because she figured people going through the Yellow Pages would see it at the top of the list and come to her place."
Lopez-Katz said her mother had "a passion for ballroom dancing. She danced until she was 80. She would drive to Concord for a dance, and she danced every one."
Mrs. Lopez was a single mother. "She divorced when we were small, and raised my sister and me by herself," Lopez-Katz said. "She had a lot of friends, a lot of boyfriends too, but if they couldn't dance, she wouldn't look at them."
Lopez-Katz said her mother "got everything she could out of life. And if anyone needed anything, she was there. She was never a gossiper, and she never complained -- and she never came to your house empty-handed."
Mrs. Lopez enjoyed traveling. "She loved her family, and saw the humor in everything."
A member of YLI since May, 1945, she also belonged to the American Business Women's Association until about 10 years ago.
Lopez-Katz said after her mother closed her shop, she continued to do the hair of five or six favored customers, who would come to her mobile home and wash their hair in the kitchen sink.
"She was one of a kind."
In addition to Lopez-Katz, Mrs. Lopez is survived by daughter Andrea Lopez-Rader. Both daughters are Petaluma residents. Sisters Rina Fernandez of San Rafael and Olga Cossi of Santa Cruz also survive her, along with four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
No services will be held. "Mom's philosophy was 'Come and see me when I'm alive, don't weep at my grave after I'm gone,' " Lopez-Katz said. Her mother will be cremated.
In lieu of flowers, Lopez-Katz said, "Do something nice for someone who needs it, or give to a favorite charity. That would mean a lot to her."
Lawrence "Don" Lewis
June 29, 2004
Builder, contractor
Lawrence J. "Don" Lewis, who grew up in Petaluma and was 1956 Football Player of the Year for the North Bay League, died in Louisville, Colo., June 17, 2004. He was 66, and a 14-year survivor of brain cancer.
Born Aug. 3, 1937 in Petaluma, Mr. Lewis was his class president at Petaluma High School, moderator of the senior symposium and winner of the Rotary Grid Award.
A graduate of Santa Rosa Junior College and Northrop Aeronautical Institute, he was in the Air Force reserve from 1959 to 1965. He owned H.S.M. Corp. general contractors in Marin County, and American Construction Management and Frisco Land, Inc., in Frisco, Colo. For 20 years, Mr. Lewis was in the forefront of development in Breckenridge, Keystone and Frisco, Colo.
He loved building extraordinary homes and projects, and his San Rafael home was featured in the 2002 Marin Designers Showcase.
A car and art collector, he enjoyed driving his large tractors and was a football fan.
Mr. Lewis is survived by his wife, Michelle Lewis of Erie, Colo., son Shiloh Lewis and brother of Paul Lewis of Petaluma.
Funeral services have been held in Colorado. A memorial of his life is scheduled for noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, July 18, at 711 Middle Two Rock Road. Call Paul Lewis at 763-1722 or 274-2323 for more information.
Contributions in Mr. Lewis' name may be made to the National Brain Tumor Foundation, 414 13th St., Suite 700, Oakland, 94612-2603, or the Petaluma FFA Memorial Fund, c/o Bill King, Petaluma High School, Petaluma, 94952.
Ruth Kelly
March 17, 2004
Homemaker
Ruth Kelly, a blue ribbon winner at the Sonoma County Fair, died March 13, 2004 in Petaluma. She was 94.
Mrs. Kelly was born in Vallejo and brought up in Vallejo and Petaluma.
A member of St. Vincent de Paul Church and a charter member of the Grandmothers Club of Petaluma, she loved to knit and crochet, and her creations won awards at the county fair. She was a dedicated bingo player and doll collector.
Mrs. Kelly is survived by her daughters, Roberta Anderson and Phyllis Garner, both of Petaluma, and sister Mary Mahar of San Rafael. She was predeceased by her husband, Robert Kelly, and daughter Betty Hagedon.
She also leaves three grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
The Funeral Liturgy will be held at 11 a.m. March 17 at Parent-Sorensen Mortuary and Crematory, Magnolia Avenue and Keokuk Street.
Contributions in Mrs. Kelly's memory may be made to Hospice of Petaluma, 416 Payran St., Petaluma, 94952.
Margaret Keeler
January 14, 2004
Newspaper stringer, office worker, volunteer, gardener
Native Petaluman Margaret Keeler died in Reno Dec. 22, 2003 after a short illness. She was 95 years old.
Born Feb. 17, 1908, Mrs. Keller worked in Oakland and Sacramento until 1944 when she resigned to care for her daughter. She later returned to work at Bennett Valley School in Santa Rosa, retiring in 1971.
After the death of her first husband, George Stockle, Mrs. Keeler married the Rev. Kenneth Keeler in 1977. Active in the church, she enjoyed gardening and travel, served as a stringer for the Press Democrat and was involved in volunteer work.
She is survived by her husband, daughter Mary Duignan, step-children Virginia Slinkard and Stuart Keeler, five grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and sister Nel Hilde-brandt.
A celebration of her life is scheduled for 11 a.m. Jan. 17 at the First Presbyterian Church, 939 B St. Donations in her name should be made to the VNA Hospice, 1110 N. Dutton Ave., Santa Rosa, 95401.
Mrs. Keeler will be interred in the Bible Wall at Cypress Hill Cemetery in Petaluma.
Leslie Hicks
June 18, 2003
Army officer, school custodian
Leslie Edward Hicks, a decorated World War II veteran, died June 10, 2003 at the age of 83.
Mr. Hicks was born in Ten Sleep, Wyo., and lived in the Buffalo, Wyo. area until his late teens, when he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps.
He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1940 and was a decorated veteran. He received a battlefield commission in April, 1945 and was involved in the liberation of a Nazi war camp.
After his 1962 retirement from the military, Mr. Hicks went to work as a custodian for San Rafael City Schools, retiring after 20 years. He enjoyed fishing in his younger years, also camping and car trips.
A member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the CCCs, he attended Two Rock Presbyterian Church until he was diagnosed with cancer this past April.
Mr. Hicks is survived by his wife of 60 years, Marian Hicks of Petaluma; children Betty, Janet, Sharon, Wanda, Larry and Loren; 11 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
A memorial service has been scheduled for 2 p.m. Sunday, June 22, at Two Rock Church, 7063 Bodega Ave. Interment in the Two Rock Cemetery will be private.
Arrangements were by Adobe Creek Funeral Home.
George Hobbie
November 26, 2003
Owner, Rex Hardware
George Ernest Hobbie, owner of Rex Hardware for over 60 years, died Nov. 20, 2003 at the age of 98.
A World War II veteran, he achieved the rank of Commander in the U. S. Navy, serving directly under Admiral Nimitz.
Mr. Hobbie held a master's degree from Harvard. He was a Mason for 75 years and belonged to the Order of DeMolay and Hermann Sons Lodge. Founder of the 20/30 Clubs, he was involved with several hardware organizations, sat on the board of directors for Petaluma Properties and was a member of Big Brothers.
He enjoyed world travel and camping with his son, Michael Forrest-Hobbie, and was a dedicated gardener and chef.
In addition to his son, Mr. Hobbie is survived by two nieces, cousin Marion Martin of Petaluma, and friend Alex Flett of Petaluma.
Services have been held.
Those who wish may make contributions in Mr. Hobbie's memory to a favorite charity.
Arrangements were by Parent-Sorensen Mortuary and Crematory.
Yolanda Hromek
January 28, 2004
Longtime resident
Yolanda Hromek, a volunteer at Sack's Hospice of Petaluma Thrift Store, died in Petaluma Jan. 25, 2004. She was 89.
A member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church and the Italian Catholic Federation, Mrs. Hromek was born in Frontenac, Kan., but was a longtime Petaluma resident.
She candled eggs at Petaluma Poultry Processors, worked at Pedroni's Deli and was part of the Salad Mill family. A noted cook, she loved working in her garden, tending flowers and fruit trees.
Mrs. Hromek was the mother of Sharon Hromek of Petaluma and Michael Hromek of Oregon, grandmother of four, and great-grandmother of four.
A visitation is schedule from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Jan. 28 at Parent-Sorensen Mortuary and Crematory, Magnolia Avenue and Keokuk Street. A vigil will take place at 7 p.m. Jan. 28, followed by a 10 a.m. Funeral Mass Jan. 29 at St. Vincent's, 35 Liberty St.
Contributions in memory of Mrs. Hromek may be made to Alzheimer's and Dementia Outreach Association, 450 Hayes Lane, Petaluma, 94952, or a favorite charity in her memory.
