Obituaries

Bonnie Lee Snyder

snyder-picBonnie Lee Snyder passed away on Wednesday, November 9, 2016. Bonnie was a wonderful, thoughtful and caring wife, mother and grandmother who always put her family first. She loved having her family together whether it was cooking holiday meals, watching sports or playing card games with her grandchildren. Bonnie is survived by her husband, Phil Snyder, of 58 years in marriage. They first met at the United Methodist Church in Lodi while attending MYF youth group as juniors in high school. They soon graduated together and mom attended Humphrey's Business College. She took her first job as an Administrative Clerk for San Joaquin County. After raising two children, Michael and Debra, Bonnie started her career with Lodi Unified School District in various clerical positions and retired after 17 years as school secretary at Henderson School.

Bonnie and Phil started traveling as she loved Carmel, Monterey, Lake Tahoe, Big Sur, the Sierra Mountains and occasional gambling at Jackson Rancheria. Bonnie also enjoyed sewing, gardening, sports and spending time with close friends for lunch once a month.

Bonnie is survived by her sister, Betteanne Everett of San Diego; brother, Richard Bettger (Mary) of San Francisco; son, Michael William Snyder (Jackie) of Sacramento; daughter, Debra Ranaye Miller (Wayne) of Texas; grandchildren, Kody Oppendike of San Francisco, Kasey Oppendike of Texas, and Hailey Snyder of Sacramento.

SERVICES

A memorial service will be held Friday, November 18, 2016, at 2:00pm, Cherokee Memorial Park ~ Chapel of Flowers, Harney Lane & Highway 99, Lodi, CA.

Gary Lee Caffese

Gary Lee Caffese, 68, passed away peacefully in the morning on Nov. 7 at St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Stockton.Born on Nov. 22, 1947, to Angelo Caffese and Mary Lagomarsino, Gary graduated from St. Mary’s High School in jpg1966 and went into farming, continuing a family tradition that began when his paternal grandfather, Giuseppe, immigrated to the United States from Sestri Levante, Italy in 1895. Gary married Barbara Anne Scott in 1970, at St. Luke’s Church, in Stockton, and the newlywed couple celebrated their reception at the Italian Athletic Club. Gary worked hard to provide for his family. Over the course of five decades, he built a flourishing career in agriculture, of which he was extremely proud. A devoted husband, proud father, and doting nonno, he was equally proud of his family and raised his daughters to be strong, similarly hard-working and uniquely determined women. He was a true steward of the land and spent the little free time he allowed himself hunting and fishing, in California and abroad. Gary was preceded in death by his father, his wife, and his sister Carol. He is survived by his mother; his brother, Robert; his sister Teresa; his daughter Michelle Caffese Dal Porto and her husband, Richard Dal Porto; his daughter Marie Burkin Caffese and her husband, Christian Burkin; and his grandchildren, Chiara, Rocco and Luciana Dal Porto, and Magnus Burkin.

VISITATION

A viewing will be held today, Nov. 9, from 3 to 8 p.m., at Evergreen Chapel, Cherokee Memorial Park, on Harney Lane at Highway 99, Lodi.

SERVICES

A Rosary and Mass of Christian burial will be held on Thursday, Nov. 10, at 10 a.m., at St. Michael Catholic Church, 5882 N. Ashley Lane, Stockton.

Ronald Leo Valinoti

valinoti-obit-picRONALD LEO VALINOTI, a resident of Lockeford, California, passed away peacefully at his home on November 7, 2016, at the age of 81 following a protracted struggle with cancer. Ron was born in Tracy, California to Domenico (“Dan”) Valinoti and Isabel Delmuto-Valinoti on August 14, 1935. He attended St. Anne’s Catholic School and Lodi High School and was a member of the 1954 Lodi High School championship track team that was inducted into the Lodi Sports Hall of Fame on March 31, 2000.He Ron served his Country for 2 years on active duty in the Navy during the Korean War followed by eight years as a reservist. Following active duty, he attended U.C. Davis before transferring to Cal Poly where he received his bachelor’s degree in dairy science. Later, he continued his education and received a master’s degree in business administration. Ron’s career began in Berkeley, California during the tumultuous 60’s where he worked as a health inspector for the Alameda County Health Department. He transferred to the San Joaquin County Environmental Health District in 1974 where he worked until retirement in 1993. He served as Director of the Health District from 1987 until his retirement. During his tenure, the District received national recognition for achievement in providing outstanding food protection services to the community. Following retirement, Ron continued in community service as a member of the board of directors for the Mokelumne Rural County Fire Protection District. He enjoyed pursuing other entrepreneurial interests including managing the family real estate holdings and his used car dealership. Ron’s energy was unlimited and unending. He abhorred idleness. He was relentless in his pursuit of whatever task was at hand, including his battle with cancer. He was always willing to lend an ear or helping hand to anyone who asked. When consulted, he offered humble and sage advice on matters ranging from growing perfect tomatoes to charting important life decisions. He promoted hard work and discipline in all aspects of his life and instilled courage, motivation, and self-confidence in those who worked with him or knew him. Ron especially enjoyed spending time with his family at his beloved mountain cabin near Bear Valley. Ron is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 60 years, Sharon; his daughter Dr. Jan Valinoti; son-in- law Dr. Parnell Galloway; son Kenneth Valinoti; daughter-in-law Shannon Hardin; brother Dan Valinoti; sister-in-law Barbara Valinoti, and sister-in-law Rose Mary Wiech. He is further survived by six adoring grandchildren: Mari Galloway, Sarah Galloway, Cristiana Giannini, Elisa Valinoti, Joseph Valinoti and Kai Valinoti and several nephews and nieces. The family extends its warmest regards and appreciation to the several caregivers who cared for Ron and provided him loving care during his final days.

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Lynn Ann Johnson

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lynnjohnson

Lynn Ann JohnsonBorn: 9/27/55 in Chico Passed: 11/6/16 in Lodi Lynn was a 61-year-old, well-educated and strong-willed person. She passed on November 6th, 2016 peacefully in Lodi,CA. She leaves behind her two sons, Eric and April Johnson, Evan Johnson with Victoria Velasquez, and her only granddaughter Elyzabeth, aka Dolly. Lynn leaves behind her parents Jim and Beverly Rolen, brothers Rick and Randy, her sister Lori, as well as many close personal friends and colleagues from the education field. Most of Lynn’s schooling took place in Yreka, CA where she then attended the College of Siskiyou’s and Humboldt University. She then graduated from National University with her Master’s.

SERVICES

Service will be held at Linden First Baptist church at 17580 CA-26, Linden, CA 95236. November 12th at 11am. Directly following will be a gathering at the Johnson Household for only family and close friends. In Luo of Flowers, please make checks payable to Nancie Keown, to donated towards Elyzabeths Future College fund! PO Box 22, Clements, CA 95227

Frank Julian Sales

October 17, 1946 – November 3, 2016 Frank Julian Sales passed away suddenly on November 3, 2016, in Carson City, salesNV. Frank was the first born son of Irene Warder Sales and Frank Leal Sales in Raton, NM. In 1962 he moved with his family to Lodi, CA where he met and later married Betty Coppler. He joined the US Navy and moved to the Bay Area to start their family. Frank served his country honorably during the Vietnam War aboard the USS Enterprise. After an extended stay in the Navy, Frank joined the Technological CALTRANS team and then became chief-troubleshooter for CALOSHA. His love for technology began when he was a teenager and extended throughout his life.

Frank enjoyed spending time in the outdoors in New Mexico with his children. He was a motorcycle enthusiast and committed member of the Combat Vets Motorcycle Club, and a dedicated member of the Lodi Moose Lodge.

Frank was preceded in death by his loving stepfather P.E. “Ernie” Rivera, and his brother Ernest M Rivera. He is survived by his mother Irene J. Rivera; brothers: John Sales and Robert Rivera; sisters: Jeanette and Marianne; sons: Frank, James (Beatrix), and Adam (Bernadette); grandchildren: Tiffany, Samantha, Timothy, Rebecca, Sophia, and Alexandria; and 5 great-grandchildren: Michealove, Joey, Emri, Sarii, and Lucien.

Frank’s loss came too quickly and has left those who knew him with a profound sense of loss.

SERVICES

A Memorial Mass will take place at 10:00 am on Friday, November 18, 2016, at St. Annes Catholic Church, 215 W. Walnut St. (At Church St.) Lodi, CA

Nancy Dos Reis

Nancy Dos Reis passed away early Thursday morning, November 3rd. She was surrounded by her nancy-dos-reis-obit-photofamily and passed to heaven peacefully and in full knowledge of the love surrounding her. She leaves behind a wealth of accomplishments, recognitions and a community that holds her dearly and misses her sorely.Born in Oakland, California and raised by her parents, Geraldine and Carl Grath, she remained a California girl all her life building her family and professional life in the Stockton area. Among her many accomplishments, Nancy became a Deputy Sheriff in San Joaquin County in 1971 and was the first female on Patrol. She later transferred to the District Attorney's Office where she became a lead Investigator in the Parental Child Abduction Unit. She was awarded Investigator of the Year by California DA Investigators for her accomplishments in this assignment. She was a loving and always courageous daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and sister. She was an unfailingly loyal, generous and steadfast friend to the many people she gathered into her universe. She enjoyed to laugh, to garden, to cook, to fish, to sketch. But most of all, her favorite past time was to cheer and support her grandsons in their many sporting events. She loved angels and has become one. She never boasted but accomplished and finished what she started with precision, and passion, and flawless results. She is survived by her daughter, Heather Somers-Fontes; grandsons, Matthew Somers and Joseph Fontes; and brother, Carl (Susan) Grath. She was preceded in death by her parents; and husband, Edward Dos Reis.

SERVICES

A Memorial Mass is planned for December 2nd. To be held at St. Anne's Catholic Church in Lodi, reception to follow. A private Interment ceremony will precede the mass at Cherokee Memorial Cemetery.

Joyce May Mudge

Joyce May Mudge May 13, 1920 – November 3, 2016

Joyce passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family on November 3, 2016. She was born in february-picnic-with-mumDevon England and as an only child, grew up on the edge of Dartmoor in a farming family. Joyce continued her farming life after marrying her beloved husband John W. Mudge. After her husband passed away, Joyce supported the family farm with her two sons for a few years, then decided to retire and move to Stockton, California in 1995 where her dear friend and cousin May Eversole lived. By this time her eldest son David had also moved there permanently, followed by her other son Mark.

Joyce so enjoyed living independently in her own apartment and walking to the various stores nearby. She will always be remembered for her generous spirit expressed and shared by baking pastries, bacon and egg pies, cakes, and a delicious traditional English Christmas Eve dinner every year. Joyce was also a great storyteller and writer of poems, with a very subtle sense of humor and playfulness. She was nourished by going on adventures with family and friends - from lunch and shopping to communing with Mother Nature, to Sunday rides with her son Mark to birthday surprises like riding the Amtrak California Zephyr through the Colorado Rockies, and more.

Joyce is predeceased by her husband John of 26 years, cousin May Eversole, and her parents Edith and Sam Miles. She is survived by her two sons, David and his wife Teresa Brumfield; Mark and his long-time close friend Sandra Mompean, and cousin May’s daughter Joanne Eversole.

SERVICES

A service celebrating Joyce’s life will be held at the Episcopal Church of St. Anne, 1020 West Lincoln Road, Stockton, CA, on Friday, November 18, 2016, at 11am. Immediately after there will be a light meal offered for family and close friends at the church rectory.

Contributions may be made in Joyce’s memory to the Episcopal Church of St. Anne at the above address.

Tomas Montanez Villanueva Sr.

Tomas was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He worked hard all image001his life to support his family.

Tom is preceded in death by 2 of his brothers, Manuel and Juan Villanueva and 1 of his sisters, Gregoria Villanueva. He leaves behind his beloved wife in marriage, of 69 years, Ninfa. He is survived by his 6 children, Gloria (Tony) Gerolaga, Jose Luis (Nellie) Villanueva, Maria Martinez, Angie Villanueva, Delia Villanueva and Tomas Villanueva Jr. Tom also leaves behind siblings Pedro Villanueva, Cecilia Perez, and Margarita Villanueva.

He also leaves 10 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren,and 5 great-great-grandchildren! As well as numerous nephews and nieces who will truly miss him.

SERVICES

Funeral Service will be held Monday, November 7, 2016, at 1:00 pm at Cherokee Memorial Park, Evergreen Chapel, Hwy 99 at Harney Lane, Lodi,CA 95240.

Virginia Lee Miner

Virginia Lee Miner (Gram), 86, of Lodi died in Lodi on October 26, 2016. She was born on April 17, 1930 to Myrtle Edna Ames and Walter Hanley Blagg, in Colony, Oklahoma.miners-newspaper-photo

She was married to Fred Jack Miner Sr. on March 2, 1947, in Stockton, CA and resided in Lodi, CA.

She was a homemaker for 68 years. Raising 5 children and numerous grandchildren. Gram loved shopping and going to lunch. Tuna and grilled cheese for the grandkids (cut in 9 pieces) with mac and cheese. Always had a full cookie jar. Her house was always welcoming and her door open. She loved with her whole heart. She had the ability to make each and everyone of her family members and loved ones know how special they were. She is survived by; sister Barbara, son Fred and wife Johanna, son Robert, daughter Juritta and husband Walter, son Larry and wife Karan. Grandchildren: Leesa, Chad, Kevin, Lindsay, Greg, Alexis, Tommy, Courtney, Michael, Nicholas, Bobby, and Jordan. Great Grandchildren: Jacob, Brooke, Elexia, Stephen, Nico, Teo, Natalie, and Eleanora. She is preceded in death by; husband Fred, son Milan, sister Mary, brother Buddy, brother Jerry and great granddaughter Daisy. Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 am Tuesday November 1, 2016 at the Evergreen Chapel with visitation an hour prior to service at  at Hwy 99 and Harney Lane in Lodi, CA 95240.

Dorthy Riggs

Dorthy (Cisco) Riggs passed to our Lord on October 21, riggs2016, at home with her family in Lodi, CA. She entered this world on November 15, 1927, in Artesia, NM, to Manford and Jessie (Harris) Cisco. Dorthy was the second of six children. The family moved to California in 1938, settling in Ceres, CA. She graduated from Ceres High School in 1945 and was licensed as a cosmetologist in 1946.

On June 10, 1947, Dorthy married Lacy R. Riggs in Reno, NV and they had subsequently had three children, Roger, Ron, and Terry. After Lacy’s discharge from the Army, they relocated to Hickman, CA. Over the next twenty years, they moved to various places in California for Lacy’s work in the dairy business. They moved to Lodi in 1968.

Dorthy was a stay at home mom, even though she had her cosmetology and real estate license. She was dedicated to her children, serving in the PTA and teaching cooking and sewing for 4-H.

Dorthy is survived by her husband of 69 years, Lacy, sons Roger (Brenda) of Stockton, Ron of Woodbridge, and daughter Terry Schimke (Ken) of Lodi, sister Margie (Al) Baker of Turlock, six grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Manford and Jessie Cisco, her sisters Lenore Costa, Lillie Ruth Ellerd, and Joann Cisco, and her brother L.D. Cisco and daughter-in-law, Connie Riggs.

SERVICES

Memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. November 15, 2016, at First Baptist Church Chapel, 267 N. Mills Ave, Lodi, CA. In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to American Cancer Society or Hospice of San Joaquin in her name.

Robert Edward Lewis

Robert Edward LewisAugust 9, 1937 to October 17, 2016

Bob passed away peacefully with family by his side. Born in Detroit, MI to Edward and Edith Lewis. He is preceded in death by his parents, brother Billy, sisters Ethel DeRoy and Betty Slewski, daughter-in-law Lisa Lewis, stepson Patrick McGinnis, former wife Phyllis Lewis and wife Dana Lewis. He is survived by his daughter Linda Sallady, her husband Tim and daughters Alyssa Silva and Yolanda Magana, daughter Lorrie Clayborn, her husband Steve, son Brian Robertson and daughter Jennifer Keller, son Michael Lewis, his daughters Britney Smith and Lacy Lewis and son Robert Lewis. Mother of his children Marilyn Dodge and sister Evelyn Petz. Stepchildren Martin McGinnis, Diane Steel, Scott McGinnis and Andrew Courtney. He also had 10 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Bob started his long career in the auto industry in 1955 at Chrysler moving to Ford Motor Company in 1962 until his retirement in November 1993. Upon his retirement, he held the title of Northern California Regional Service Manager. He started his career with Ford at their headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan moving his family to California in 1971. After his retirement Dana and he started their own business as inventory specialists for auto dealerships and he also did private insurance investigations for auto companies.

He was an avid golfer and golfed every week until he was in his mid-70’s. He loved traveling and going on cruises and weekend trips to Reno with Dana. Family vacations were an annual event and we will all have many fond memories of these along with family gatherings for the holidays.

His deep love of family, his goofy sense of humor and comedic timing, his passion, and dedication for his career, his generosity, and romantic spirit has left us all with hearts full and a million cherished memories to share.

Edward Harris Sr.

In the Loving Memory of Edward Harris Sr.The Memoriam of Your Presence is Requested At A Memorial Service October 18, 2016 3pm to 8pm Cherokee Memorial Funeral Home 831 Industrial Way Lodi, CA 95241 Sunrise March 16, 1946, and Sunset October 9, 2016

Proceeding before him in rest are His Beloved Wife Marilyn Ellen Harris, his Mother Gracie Harris, his Father Jimmie Harris, his brothers James Earl Harris and William Harris, and his Daughter Doretha Reese.

Edward Harris Sr. is survived by: Sons Edward Harris Jr. and Adrian Harris, Daughters Andrea Harris, Angela Harris, and Amanda Harris, Sisters Patricia Lankford, Pearl Harris and Diane Harris, Brothers Freddie Harris and Nathan Harris, Paternal Aunt Delores Bennett and Paternal Uncle Troy Bennett, Grandchildren: Marilyn Plascencia, Reynaldo Plascencia, Mailyah Plascencia, Mekiyah Robinson and Starla of Arizona.