Services

Stella May Dewey

July 18, 1930 – March 18, 2025

Stella Dewey was 94 years old when she went to be with the Lord on March 18th, 2025.

She was born in Haskell, Texas to Albert and Jewel Hale. She had two brothers, Albert D and Earl J. Stella met the love of her life, Barney Dewey in 1948 in Texas. The Marriage lasted 77 years with Stella and Barney settling and raising a family in California.

Shortly after marrying, Stella accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior. This altered the course of both Stella and Barney’s life in a significant way. She was by her husband’s side in ministry while pastoring and co-pastoring several churches in the Central Valley.

Stella has five children; Venus, Johnny, Linda, Diane, and Mary. Eight grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. She was fondly known by her grandchildren as “old one”. Stella loved spending time with her family.

Services

Viewing will be held from 4pm to 7pm on Thursday, March 27, 2025 Cherokee Memorial Funeral Home, 14165 N. Beckman Rd. Lodi, CA.

Funeral Services will be held at 1pm on Friday, March 28, 2025 in the Evergreen Chapel at Cherokee Memorial Park, Lodi, CA.

Please leave your condolences below.

Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Dewey family.

Rebecca Josephine Bittle Hale

December 14, 1940 - March 19, 2025

Rebecca (“Becky”) Josephine Bittle Hale passed away on March 19, 2025. She was born to the late James and Gertrude Bittle on December 14, 1940 in Anniston, Alabama. She graduated from Greenwood High School in Shreveport, Louisiana and was attending a business school for women when she met her future husband, Raymond (“Ray”) Hale. They married on March 28, 1959 in Marshall, Texas, at which time he was enlisted in the Air Force. While living at Bossier Base in Shreveport, Louisiana, she gave birth to their first son. While Ray was attending Northwestern University in Natchitoches, Louisiana, their second son was born. After college, they moved back to Shreveport where their third son was born.

In 1968, Becky and her family moved to Manteca, California following a job transfer opportunity for her husband Ray. In 1970, they moved to Stockton, California where she raised the boys and worked at Union Safe Deposit Bank. After raising the boys, she decided to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a registered nurse and entered San Joaquin Delta College’s Nursing Program in 1991. She graduated in 1993 at the age of 53 and worked as a nurse in various settings, including a private plastic surgery clinic, St. Joseph’s Medical Center, Valley Gardens Healthcare Rehabilitation, and Clearwater Healthcare Center. She retired from a career she loved after 31 years as a NOC shift nurse.

Becky enjoyed spending time with family, especially with her grandchildren. Her hobbies included crocheting blankets, puzzles, playing cards, and traveling with her family. She loved Hawaii and anything tropical, sweet treats, shopping, and watching crime dramas. Most of all, she was a generous and loving person, helping those in need and donating to various organizations.

Becky is predeceased by her father and mother (James and Gertrude), her sisters (Marie Tucker and Dolores Kelley), and her husband Ray. She is survived by her sons and their spouses Randy (Girlie) of Lodi, CA, John of Stockton, CA, and Steven (Julie) of Stamford, CT; and her grandchildren and their spouses Sean (Mary), Katelyn, Kristen, Sarah (Jeffrey Gilley), and Emily. She is also survived by several extended family members in Louisiana.

Services

A joint memorial service for both Rebecca and Ray will be held at Cherokee Memorial Park on Thursday, March 27, 2025 with viewing 9:00am - 10:30am, followed by graveside services beginning at 11:00am. Services will be followed by an open-house celebration of life at 28 Grand Fir Dr, Lodi, CA 95242.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Rebecca and Ray Hale to Shriners Hospital for Children.

Please leave your condolences below.

Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Hale family.

Hugo Bernabe Lubag, Jr

October 21, 1934 - March 17, 2025

Our beloved Tatay joined his creator on March 17, 2025 at the age of 90 in Stockton, California. Hugo Bernabe Lubag, Jr was a great husband, son, brother, father, lolo and friend to many. He will be missed by everyone who knew him.

Hugo Bernabe Lubag, Jr, fondly called Jun or Junior was born on Oct. 21, 1934 in Naic, Cavite, Philippines. He lived in Morong, Rizal, Philippines most of his years before moving to US.

He is survived by wife Esperanza, children Jonathan, Arthur, Melodee, Rommel, Ming, and Mahal, sons-in law Joel and Jeremy, daughters-in-law Aurora, Aileen and Isabelita, granddaughters-in-law Arlene, Aileen and Lorelie, grandson-in-law, Owen, grandchildren Marilag, Jonathan Jr, Jason, Ryan, Macy, Gabrielle, Helena, Reuben, Myron, May Therese, Mark, Matthew, Marvin, Miguel, Andrew, Makayla and Eliana, great grandchildren Leialani and Amerie, siblings Grace, Isaac, Samson and Deborrah.

He was predeceased by his father, Hugo Sr, his mother, Consolacion, his brothers Ruben, David, Julio, Severino, Angelo and sister Fulvia.

He was a Christian, a Rotarian, a business man, a musician, a boxing trainer, an art collector and an avid painter. He took delight in telling stories of his younger days, climbing the trees as they would hide from the Caviteno gangsters during his primary years, to wooing women in the dormitories, and evangelism travels with the missionaries, travel adventures with his friends as he would be exposed to different cultures in China, Japan, Malaysia and Belgium only naming a few. He would get a thrill in finding antiques and art collections. He was very keen in pleasing his wife, discovering rare orchid species. He enjoyed food like no other up to his last days requesting pata tim and tom yum along with shopping.

Services

A memorial to celebrate his life will be held at Cherokee Memorial 14165, Beckman Rd, Lodi, CA, USA on April 11, 2025 at 1:00 PM.

Please leave your condolences below.

Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Lubag family.

Robert (Bob) Manuel Moreno Sr.

August 2, 1937 - March 23, 2025

Robert Moreno Sr, age 87 of Thornton, passed away Sunday, March 23,2025 at Adventist Health Lodi Memorial from complications to a fall.

Robert was born in Tucson, Arizona to Ruth Ramirez and Hermojenes Manuel. He was raised by his step father Andres Quijano. He worked in agriculture, attended various schools, one New Hope Elementary in Thornton, California. Robert would travel from California to Arizona during the off season. On February 1, 1960 he married Mary Varelas of Tucson, Arizona and brought her to California. They had a son and three daughters. He had his children baptized at St. Annes Catholic Church of Lodi, California. Married for 65 years.

He worked as a warehouseman for Tri Valley Growers (Cal Can) for 43 years in Thornton. He was a member of Thornton Volunteer Rural Fire Department, Member of Lodi Cycle Bowl, and volunteered his time with San Joaquin County Sheriff's Department STARS Program.

Robert’s hobbies were traveling all over the states, attending various Nascar Races, watching football and baseball games. Being active in family and community functions.

He is survived by his wife Mary V. Moreno of Thornton, CA, daughters Ana Castillo (David) of Galt, CA, Lena Straub (David) of Sugarpine, CA, Donna Beas (Ray) of Stockton, CA. Sisters Cecilia Hernandez (Jose) of Lodi, CA , and Edilia Herrera (Bob) of Thornton, CA. Seven Grandchildren and five Great Grandchildren.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents Ruth and Andres Quijano, brothers Ernest Ormsby, Guillermo Ormsby, Conrad Mendoza, granddaughter Alyssa Moriah Castillo, and son Robert Moreno Jr.

SERVICES
Visitation will be held on Monday, April 7, 2025 at 12:00 - 1:00 Cherokee Memorial Funeral Home,Rosary, followed by Burial Cherokee Memorial Park 14165 Beckman Road/Harney Lane Lodi, CA 95240

Please leave your condolences below.

Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Moreno family.

George John Mifsud

August 10, 1943 - July 22, 2024

George John Mifsud, 80, of Linden, CA, passed away on July 22, 2024. Born on August 10, 1943, in San Francisco, he was the beloved son of Maltese immigrant parents Angelo Mifsud and Mary Calleja Mifsud.

George's life was marked by his devotion to his family, his faith, and his community. He served in the US Army and was deployed to Vietnam in 1967. On May 31,1969, George married Joan Elizabeth Mansell. They eventually had a son and a daughter and built a loving family over the next 55 years. 

George was an entrepreneur who owned and operated George Mifsud Trucking for over 20 years, a business he built from the ground up and loved seeing grow over time. He was a devoted member of Holy Cross Catholic Church and a longstanding member of the Linden Lions Club, where he cherished both the philanthropic work they did and the many friendships he formed over the years.

George's greatest joy in life was his four grandchildren, whom he adored and considered his “greatest achievement”.  He also found immense pleasure in meticulous gardening, reading and took pride in his many woodworking projects along with other endeavors that involved building and creating.

He is survived by his wife, Joan Mifsud, their children, Christian and ShaNee Mifsud of Stockton, CA, and Ginelle Mifsud Daugherty of Fresno, CA, and his four grandchildren, Anastasia Mifsud, Rocco Mifsud, Hudson Daugherty, and Finn Daugherty. He is also survived by his five older sisters, Jenny Flood, Nan Mifsud, Lucy Romer, Rita Sinclair, and Maryann Mifsud, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

George was preceded in death by his parents Angelo and Mary Mifsud and two brothers Joseph and Edward Mifsud.

SERVICE

A rosary and funeral mass will be held at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Linden on August 12, 2024, at 10:30 am.  Following the service, a reception will be held at the Linden Lions Banquet Hall.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his name to Hospice of San Joaquin.

Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Mifsud family.

Mark Lucas

July 1, 1952 - July 20, 2024

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Mark Lucas, age 72, on July 20th, 2024. Born on July 1, 1952, in Tracy, CA, Mark lived a rich and fulfilling life in Stockton, raising his family and leaving a lasting impact on everyone he met.

Mark attended Lincoln High School and later studied at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. He had an illustrious career in operations and management, dedicating 40 years to his work worldwide. His professional accomplishments were matched by his remarkable personal traits.

Mark was a husband, father, grandfather and friend with a captivating personality. Funny, charismatic, intelligent, and handy, he was the epitome of wit and humor. Known for his hilarious dad jokes, Mark always had a knack for making everyone around him laugh.

He leaves behind his beloved wife of 46 years, Nancy Lucas; his daughter, Jennifer Boras; son-in-law, Michael; and two cherished granddaughters, Teagan and Riley. Mark was an avid San Francisco Giants fan, enjoyed playing bocce ball, and loved cracking a good joke. Mark’s whole life was dedicated to his family, and he always showed up for those he loved, bringing joy and humor into every moment.

Mark Lucas will be forever remembered for his ability to bring joy, his unwavering commitment to loved ones, and his infectious sense of humor. He will be deeply missed, but his legacy will live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.

SERVICE

Friends and family are invited to Memorial Services on August 8th, 2024 at 10 a.m. at the Vineyard Chapel at Cherokee Memorial Funeral Home, 14165 Beckman Rd, Lodi, CA 95240.

The family kindly requests flowers be sent to the Vineyard Chapel at Cherokee Memorial Funeral Home.

Please leave your condolences below.

Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Lucas family.

Diana Fay Quenzer

August 11, 1941 - June 19, 2022

Diana Fay Quenzer passed away Sunday, June 19th, 2022 in San Ramon, California with her family by her side.

Diana was born on August 11, 1941 in French Camp, California to Herbert and Hulda Quenzer. She grew up in Stockton and on a dairy farm in Galt. In 1959 Diana and her family moved to Sunnyvale, where Diana graduated from Sunnyvale High School in 1959. In 1986 Diana settled in the San Ramon Valley, where she lived for over thirty years. Diana spent the last ten years with the love of her life, Robert Young in El Cerrito, California.

Diana was a trailblazer for women of her era, with a vibrant career in the aerospace industry.  After working for Teledyne Ryan in San Diego for 5 years, she dedicated 34 years of her life at Lockheed Martin. There, she earned many awards working on countless projects as a technician, including the Milstar and the Hubble Space Telescope, the ABL Space Station, the Gravity Probe B gyroscope, and Star Wars Laser Program. Her proudest achievement was her work on the NASA Viking Project, which was the first U.S. mission to land a spacecraft on Mars to take photographs, collect data, and look for possible signs of life. We are thankful for her service in advancing the boundaries of science and the defense of our country.

Diana was also very gifted when it came to creating beautiful spaces. Whether it be gorgeous gardens and lush landscapes where her love of plants and flowers were showcased, or creating masterpieces with wood or macrame, her meticulous eye for detail dazzled us all.

Diana loved her children and grandchildren most of all.  She was a hardworking, devoted mother who did so much for her children. Diana was admired for having a bold and brave personality, and she never shielded away from speaking her mind. She was loved by so many for her humor, kindness, love of the Lord, and her beautiful smile.

Her life will forever be cherished in the lives of her children: Lisa (Josh) Herrero of Livermore,CA; Timothy (Jessica) Louie of Martinez,GA; and Cheryl Louie of San Ramon, CA; her step-daughters Susan Schaaphok of Keno, OR and Teresa Carrol of Anacortes,WA; and her grandchildren Hannah, Olivia, Tommy, Ronin, Kelly, and Kate.

Diana was proceeded in death by her mother and father, Herbert and Hulda Quenzer, her bothers, Henry and Timothy, and her beloved sister, Elaine.

 

Diana will be laid to rest on Friday, July 8th at Cherokee Memorial Cemetery.

VISITATION
A visitation will be held from 9:00am - 12:00pm noon on Friday, July 8th 2022 at the Vineyard Chapel at Cherokee Memorial Park, located at 14165 N. Beckman Rd, Lodi, CA 95240.

SERVICE
A service will be held at 12:00pm noon on Friday, July 8th 2022 at the Vineyard Chapel at Cherokee Memorial Park, located at 14165 N. Beckman Rd, Lodi, CA 95240.

RECEPTION

Lunch to follow at 2pm.

Please leave your condolences below.

Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Quenzer family.

Francisca R. Gomez

Francisca R Gómez was born March 21, 1929 in San Bernandino County, CA and passed away at her home in Stockton, CA surrounded by family on March 2, 2022, just weeks shy of her 93rd birthday. She will be laid to rest alongside her husband and hunny Antonio Lopez Gomez. 

 

She will be remembered by her 5 children, 12 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren and 2 great great grandchildren. Her dedication to her family and loved ones will always be cherished by those who knew her, and her generosity never forgotten. Her kindness was always shown through her warm smile and warm plates of food, especially her tacos and tamales, a staple of her kitchen and home. 

 

To our mom, grandma, granny and beloved Francisca, you will forever be cherished and missed. Until we meet again.. with love and remeberance, your family. 

Joyce Lemon

Joyce Johnson was born on August 18th, 1930 in Twin Falls, Idaho to Efton R. Johnson and Mabel Walcott. She had an older sister, Lora.  Her parents’ marriage dissolved around that time. Around 1935, the extended family moved to Stockton, California.  Joyce’s maternal grandmother Wilhelmina “Minnie” Kaslander Walcott had a sister living nearby, and there was a large Dutch community in the area. Both the Kaslander  and the Walcott families were descended from Dutch immigrants, and they made an effort to keep their culture alive. The Dutch language was still being spoken by the older members of the family when Joyce was a girl. They attended the Dutch Reform Church in Ripon.  If you were Dutch, that’s where you went to church!

Mabel wound up getting a job in Sacramento, and left Joyce and Lora in the care of her parents, Herman and Minnie Walcott, in Stockton.  Just before Joyce turned 7, her grandfather died.  In 1943, after Lora married, Joyce, her grandmother and her unmarried aunt Jeanette Walcott, “Aunt Jean”, moved into a converted garage behind the house of Joyce’s uncle Bert Walcott.

One very bright spot in this story was her sister Lora buying her a used piano when she was 12, and Joyce started taking lessons.  It turned out that Joyce had a gift.  By the time she was 15, she was church organist at the Stockton Alliance Church, which she had started attending as a young teenager when invited by a friend.  It was also at this church where she met her future husband, Bob Lemon.

She didn’t like him at first.  But after dating a few of the other boys from church, she decided to give him a chance. Bob and Joyce were engaged in April and married October 10th, 1948. Her Uncle Bert Walcott walked her down the aisle, and his daughters Wilma and Jeanne Walcott were her attendants. The marriage would last for 68 years, until Bob’s death in 2016.

Two children were born from this happy marriage; Patrice (Patti) and Denise.  The family lived in Stockton until 1965, when Bob’s work situation changed and they moved to Union City, and then Fremont.  They attended Fremont Neighborhood Church, later renamed Cedar Blvd. Neighborhood Church in Newark, where Joyce continued to serve as church organist, and worked part time in the church office.

When Bob retired in 1988, they moved back to Stockton, where after attending a few other churches, they became members of Stockton Covenant Church.  Joyce was always a very active member of the churches she attended, and she held a deep faith.

Bob and Joyce enjoyed trailer camping, and made many trips over the years.  They went to Lassen National Park, the Seattle World’s Fair, annual church family camps and many family holiday weekend trips, among other outings.  Also Joyce absolutely loved Hawaii, and they made a few trips there over the years.  When Bob passed, and the house had to be cleared out, one of her disappointments was that her “Hawaiian Dresses” had been given away.  She loved those dresses.

Joyce was an excellent cook, and was particularly known for her baking, and especially her pies.  She would often bake two or three kinds for family gatherings, and the family joke is that anytime she asked her nephew Dennis what kind of pie he wanted, the answer was always “Yes”.  She loved to feed people, and in generous portions.  Her motto was, “The only way to make sure that you have enough food is to make sure that you have TOO MUCH food.”  Heaven forbid that someone might want thirds and there wasn’t any left.

By the fall of 2015, Joyce had to be moved into a nursing facility.  Bob faithfully visited her twice a day, every day, and her daughters and other family members visited as often as they could.  Bob passed away on Christmas Eve in 2016, and the following year was very difficult for her.   After a bout of pneumonia in December 2017, she never fully recovered and she passed away on January 14th, 2018.

We remember her love of family, her faith and devotion, her love of playing the piano and the organ, her love of cooking and of feeding the people she loved.  Playing music and cooking great food were expressions of who she was.  Family, faith, good food, music and love were very important components of her life, and what she will be remembered for.

Joyce is survived by daughters Patrice “Patti” Lemon (Eric Mitchell) and Denise (Terry) Hershberger, granddaughter Jennifer (Ryan) Hodge, grandsons Aaron (Jacqueline) Hawkins and Matthew (Amber) Hawkins, great grandsons Asa and Max Hawkins, and sister Lora Gadow and half-sister Robyn Carlson.

SERVICES

Graveside service will be held on Friday, January 26th at 2pm at Cherokee Memorial Park.

All are invited to a Celebration of Life on Saturday, January 27th at 2 pm at Stockton Covenant Church.

Maria Cruz

August 12, 1942 - January 2, 2018 Maria Clara (Clarita) A. Cruz, 75, joined our Lord Jesus Christ on January 2, 2018 at St. Joseph’s Medical Center, Stockton, CA.  She was the wife of Vicente E. Cruz.  They shared 43 years of marriage together.

Clarita was born in Malate, Manila, Philippines. She was the daughter of Honorio and Severina Acogido. She was an active member of St. Luke’s Catholic Church.  She enjoyed travel, dancing and attending her grandchildren’s sports and performing arts activities.  She adored all her grandchildren and was always available whenever they needed her help.  She will be remembered for her very giving, generous and nurturing personality.

She is survived by her husband, Vicente E Cruz, Children Diana L Hinton, Maria Christina Cruz Plantilla (Albert), Lorelei Cruz Gee and Vreeland Cruz (Jennifer) and her grandchildren Kayla Gee, Isabel Gee, Isaiah Gee, Victoria Plantilla, Alexandria Plantilla and Tobias Vicente Cruz.

VISITATION

Visitations for Maria Cruz is scheduled for

Tuesday, January 9, 2018 from 10:00am to 8:00pm in the Vineyard Chapel at Cherokee Memorial Park, 14165 Beckman Road, Lodi, CA.

Wednesday, January 10, 2018 from 10:00am to 8:00pm in the Vineyard Chapel at Cherokee Memorial Park, 14165 Beckman Road, Lodi, CA.

VIGIL

Vigil to be held Wednesday, January 10, 2018 at 6:00pm in the Vineyard Chapel at Cherokee Memorial Park, 14165 Beckman Road, Lodi, CA.

SERVICES

Funeral service to take place Thursday, January 11, 2018 at 10:00am at St. Lukes Cahotlic Church, 3847 N Sutter St, Stockton, CA.