Obits
- Details
- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
When John David Portner was a teenager in Ramsey, New Jersey, he spent many cherished weekends and vacations with his family at a cabin along a rambling fishing stream in the Catskill Mountains of upstate New York. It was there that his father taught John to fly fish and, along the way, to find joy in the beauty of nature.
At Ramsey High School, where he graduated in 1967, John was a solid student and a good athlete — winning the New Jersey state high school wrestling championship in his weight class. Later he graduated from Hartwick College in Oneonta, New York.
Yet, John was a teen of the ‘60s and the free-spirited adventure and social rebellion it promised. After a few semesters he decided to leave college and head west.
In 1972 he visited San Francisco, fell in love with the city and decided to make it his home. He found a job driving a taxi for the San Francisco Mass Transit Authority and moved into a small apartment. He found he enjoyed the job and the constant variety of the passengers passing through his cab. The pay was good and in his off-time he began learning to play the guitar, write some music and explore his interest in art. A job that once looked somewhat temporary became a 40-year career.
On vacations, John took trips north into California wine country and was drawn back to the love of nature planted inside him by those long-ago trips to the fishing cabin in the Catskill Mountains.
Then in 2012, as retirement approached, he discovered Clearlake and purchased a home there. He loved the town and the surrounding mountains as well as his many friends in the community.
He would live there for the next 13 years, until his death from metastatic skin cancer on Aug, 19, 2025 at a treatment center in Roseville, California.
John loved living in Clearlake, taking part in community activities and civic committees and serving as a substitute teacher in local schools. Inspired by the beauty of Lake County, he created hundreds of landscape paintings. He also wrote many songs and played music with fellow musicians. In 2023 he recorded a CD of original songs for friends and family, on which he played guitar and sang.
John was born in Aurora, Illinois, in 1949, the third of five children of Robert E. Portner and Marjorie (Stolp) Portner. When he was in elementary school, the family moved to Iowa then in 1963 to Ramsey.
John is survived by three siblings: Christifer F. Portner (Patricia), Allentown, Pennsylvania; Mary C. Hobbs, Franklin, Indiana; and Nancy E. Budai (Doug), Grosse Pointe, Missouri; along with eight nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a first-born brother, Robert E. Porter, Jr., who died at the age of three.
John was cremated, as per his wishes, and will be laid to rest in a private family burial in Aurora, Illinois at a later time.
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- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
Timothy Edward Gonsalves was called home on Sept. 22, 2025, at the age of 68. He passed peacefully at his home in Winters, California, surrounded by his family.
He was born in Woodland, California, on Oct. 14, 1956, to Rudolph Gonsalves and Margie Gonsalves, who have both preceded him in death.
Timothy was a motivated man always looking to improve anything he could. Eventually starting Performance Glass in Santa Rosa, California, where he was able to mentor many young people, giving them the tools to have their own successful careers in the glazing industry.
He was a very active man throughout his life. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, hiking, mountain biking and even had his pilot’s license. He logged many hours flying his Mooney airplane taking trips alongside his father who was also a pilot. It is his family’s hope that they are flying high together once more and fishing in the most beautiful waterways that the afterlife has to offer.
Timothy has been preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Randy, Bill and Stormy; his sister, Marie; and his Best Friend, Don Stranathan.
He leaves behind his three children, Justin Gonsalves, Sheridan Gonsalves and Aimee Gonsalves; his five grandchildren, Bailey, Haydon, Maliya, Garrett and Adelynn; his brother, Mark Gonsalves; his sister, Delorace Falk; his daughter-in-law, Brenda Gonsalves; his son-in-law, John Chavez; as well as countless friends and extended family members.
A celebration of life is being held at the Saralee Barn at 1996 Linwood Ave., Santa Rosa, on Oct. 14 from 2 to 5 p.m. This event is open to all friends and family.
“The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; do good anyway.”
- Details
- Written by: Elizabeth Larson
In Loving Memory:
Patricia Frances Devine Van Horn
Born July 18, 1944, Pat passed into the arms of our Lord on July 2, 2025.
Patricia (Pat) was born in San Francisco, California to her parents, Patricia (Kelly) Devine and Frank Devine.
Pat spent her childhood growing up with her brother Larry Passmore who preceded Pat in passing. Pat adored her brother and she hoped to see him again in what lies beyond this world.
On July 28, 1964, Pat married her husband Raymond Van Horn (Van), with whom she had five sons. Pat was married to Van, until his passing in 2005.
Pat leaves behind her sons, Douglas, Craig, Todd, Eric and Jason Van Horn. She also leaves behind her granddaughters, Kayla, Katelyn, Lexie, Ashley and her grandson Daniel, all of whom she loved dearly.
Of course, she had a special place in her heart for her great-grandbabies, Dyani, Kaezlee, Scarlett and Jaxyn with whom she delighted in spending precious time.
Pat also held a special place in her heart for her nephew, Larry Jr., with whom she had long talks on the phone and her niece, Kelly, with whom she shared a birthday and many long talks about life’s concerns.
Pat loved her fur babies and would foster any animal that came along; she treated people the same way, she always saw the good in everyone.
Pat served people her whole life and literally fed people in need right out of her kitchen. Pat was a hard-working woman and an excellent mother, at times having worked three jobs to make ends meet.
She had an excellent sense of humor and had many crazy life experiences-material for colorful stories that she would tell during family gatherings.
She loved Motown and the Blues, she enjoyed going to Reno to spend time at the Nugget where she would watch a show and gamble a bit.
Pat loved camping and often took the family off to Fort Bragg to escape the summer heat in Lake County.
The last few days Pat was here, with a knowing and gentle strength, accepting that she would soon be leaving this place, she prepared for her departure. She was met by a dear friend, a local physician, who sat with her and prayed, readying her soul for its next phase of being.
Larry and Kelly sat with her and talked about times past, as did her dear friends Bobbie, Librada and Anna, each showing their love to a great friend.
She was with family at the time of her passing, the anxiety of her many struggles gone from her face, she is at peace.
Pat’s journey was facilitated by Hospice of Lake County; without them Pat’s journey would have been much more difficult.
Until we meet again, Mom …
A celebration of life commencing at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 18, will be held at the Middletown Lions Club, 15399 Central Park Road.
