Lake County News,California

Obits

: Elizabeth Larson; Posted On Thursday, 23 March 2023 17:11; 23 March 2023

Van Horn celebration of life planned for March 25

MIDDLETOWN, Calif. — A celebration of the life of Susie Van Horn will take place this weekend.

It will be held at noon at the Middletown Lions Club, 15399 Central Park Road.

Attire is casual.

Read her obituary here.

For more information email Doug at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

: Elizabeth Larson; Posted On Saturday, 18 March 2023 02:10; 18 March 2023

Kerry Ellen Roper

Kerry Ellen Roper
March 11, 1954 — Feb. 14, 2023

Kerry was born in Fort Bragg, California to loving parents, Jack and Virginia Tredway.

She spent her childhood in Leggett, California, where she was raised with her siblings, Larry, Linda, Mike and John.

She moved to Kelseyville in her teen years, which is where she met lifelong friends, started her family, and eventually opened her own hair salon which she had for 24 years before retiring in 2020.

She lived in many places including California, Minnesota, Nebraska, and Arizona before finally settling in South Carolina, where she passed peacefully after an almost three year battle with cancer.

Kerry will be remembered for her love of Christ, her joy for life, and her desire to make everyone around her feel special and loved. She was the most wonderful, kind, loving person, she is missed so greatly.

Kerry is survived in death by her loving husband of 28 years, Brad Roper; her children, Brian Manning (Brianna), Margie Irwin (Chris), Michael Manning, Nathan Tredway (Misty) and Emily Ray (Derrick); stepson, Brad Roper Jr. (Kristina); her brothers, Larry Tredway (Kristine) and John Tredway; her many grandchildren and great grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Kerry’s family would like to thank everyone who loved and supported her during her time on Earth. She loved and cherished each of you.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 18, at Riviera HIlls Country Club, 10200 Fairway Drive in Kelseyville, California.

: Elizabeth Larson; Posted On Wednesday, 15 March 2023 01:30; 15 March 2023

Larry Andrew Pitts Sr.

Larry Andrew Pitts Sr. died unexpectedly on Feb. 22, 2023.

He was born Nov. 14, 1964, to Diane Butler and Donald Seck.

Larry was later adopted by his uncle and aunt, John and Ann Pitts.

He traveled the world as a military dependent and developed a love for traveling.

Larry explored many places in his 58 years of life. He was a nomad of sorts, but for whatever reason Clearlake, California always called him back.

A private visitation ceremony was performed in his honor, with his four children, and ex-wife Judy Pitts, before cremation.

There was a roadside memorial set up in his memory. Larry’s ashes will remain in Tennessee with future plans to spread a little in each place his children visit in his honor.

He is survived by his brother, Michael Pitts; children, Angela Lyon, 36, John Pitts, 34, Leann Pitts, 32, and Larry Pitts Jr., 30; and nine grandchildren.

Care entrusted to Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary FD1336, www.chapelofthelakes.com, 707-263-0357.

: Elizabeth Larson; Posted On Thursday, 23 March 2023 03:17; 23 March 2023

Dana Billig

LAKEPORT, Calif. — Dana Lynn Billig of Lakeport passed away on March 19, 2023, from a brain tumor.

Her battle with cancer was short; she was diagnosed in January and left us in March.

Dana was born in Kittanning, Pennsylvania on May 25, 1947, to Daniel and Sarah Yapp.

Dana graduated from Thiel College in 1969. Shortly after she graduated college, she married the love of her life, Gary Billig.

Eventually the two of them moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, where they raised their two children and Dana went on to teach high school special education for 28 years.

In 2015, she and Gary moved to Lakeport to be closer to her grandkids. She adored her grandchildren and rarely missed a game, band concert or school meeting.

She also loved reading and enjoyed going to the dog park with her dog Milo (and her grand-dog, Zoey).

She was known for building bridges between people — she was inclusive of everyone she met and always wanted to bring them home for family dinner.

She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Gary; sister, Carol Heider; two children, Joshua and Sarah; her daughter-in-law, Karen; and her two grandchildren, Aydan and Kaylah.

She will be remembered for her loving and kind heart and her ability to bring people together — often over a family meal. Dana was the heart of our family.

Dana will be remembered at a celebration of life ceremony on March 31 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Chapel of the Lakes in Lakeport.

Care entrusted to Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary FD1336, 1625 N. High St., Lakeport, www.chapelofthelakes.com, telephone 707-263-0357.

: Elizabeth Larson; Posted On Friday, 17 March 2023 03:20; 17 March 2023

Dr. Fredrick Belka Jr.

Dr. Fredrick Albert Belka Jr.
1937 — 2023

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — Fred, Freddie, Dad, Papa, Uncle Fred, or otherwise known as Dr. Fred Belka.

In Lakeport, California, on March 6, 2023, Fred unexpectedly passed away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 85.

Fred was born in Brooklyn, New York on October 12, 1937, to Maria and Fred Belka Sr.

At 17 years old Fred and his family moved to San Jose, California, where he graduated from San Jose High School.

In the early 1960s Fred was drafted into the Service, 101st Airborne Division.

He was married to Jeannette and had two children, Tammy Jane and Richard.

Fred went on to graduate from San Jose State University with a BA in teaching and became a history teacher. He loved to learn and extended his education well into his 70s. He went back to school and earned his Masters and PHD.

In 1967 Fred met his second wife Christina and daughter Nadine. Fred and Christina married and remained in the Bay Area until 1985, spending nine years in El Dorado Hills before retiring in Nice, California.

Fred and Chris lived their best life as socialites and distinguished members of the community. Fred belonged to the Lions Club, the Sons of Italy, the Lakeport Elks, the No Name Car Club and was a vital member of the Lakeport Senior Center.

Fred was always laughing, joking around, and having a good old time. He was known to talk your ear off whether or not you had the time to listen. He was an outdoorsman who loved boating, camping, and fishing.

Everyone knew Fred wherever he went and he left a long and lasting impression. Fred was a guiding light and always knew what to do. His family and friends loved him dearly. He will be missed and never forgotten.

He is survived by his sister, Caroline; children, Nadine and Rick Sr.; grandchildren, Christina Marie, Bernadette and Rick Jr.; great-grandchildren, Christopher, Emily, Jessie and Alicia; niece, Monique; great niece, Skyler; great nephews, Daniel and Joel; and fur babies, Pheobalina Foxface and Smokey.

Funeral services are scheduled for Saturday, March 18, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary, 1625 N. High St., Lakeport.

Care entrusted to Chapel of the Lakes Mortuary FD1336 www.chapelofthelakes.com, telephone 707-263-0357.

: Elizabeth Larson; Posted On Sunday, 12 March 2023 01:38; 12 March 2023

Sam F. Malta

SPARKS, Nevada — I am heartbroken to announce the passing of my loving father and best friend, Sam Frank Malta, age 80, of Sparks, Nevada on Feb. 23, 2023.

Sam is survived by his daughter, Tammy (Chris) Rieken of Reno; sister, Linda Milligan; brother-in-law, Ken Phillips; sister-in-law, Lola Malta; three grandchildren, Brandon, Alyson and Shane Rieken; and many nieces and nephews.

Sam was a professional meat cutter and business owner and proudly served as a petty officer in the United States Navy from 1960-1964. He enjoyed retirement the last 30 years.

Sam’s passions included fishing, golf, San Francisco Giants and 49ers. His daughter Tammy shares his love of baseball and she is grateful to him that she is not an LA Dodgers fan!

Sam is remembered and loved by many friends, neighbors and family for his smile, kind heart, mentorship, attitude of gratitude, generosity and dedication to all who he cared about.

Lastly, Sam was a gardener and his tomatoes and sweet peas will surely be missed!

Sam will be reunited with his beloved wife Victoria Marie of 60 years who passed seven years ago. He will join Victoria in eternal rest on Monday, March 13, 2023 at Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Fernley, Nevada.

A celebration of Sam’s life will be announced at a later date.