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Wesley Wallace Gehrke – Succumbed to
diabetes
Wesley Gehrke died Jan. 31, 2009 after a long battle with
diabetes. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Betty; daughters,
Peggy Lucas, Kristina (Loren) Morelli, Gail (Tony) Schroeder, and
Linda (Ron) Albini; grandchildren, Shane Lucas, Carrie Lucas, Damon
Morelli, Leana Killpack, Aaron Althouse, Tyrus Althouse, Dedra
Schroeder, Andriana & Wesley Albini; three great-grandchildren,
James Smith, Ryanne Killpack and Jaycie Apodaca; and numerous
nieces and nephews. 
Donations may be made in his name to the Bodega Fire Dept. Bldg.
Fund, P.O. Box 23, Bodega, CA 94922 or to a Hospice of your
choice.
Ruth Carol Church – Leaves behind 28
great-grandchildren
Ruth Church died with her family by her side on Jan. 30, 2009 in
Sebastopol. She was born on Dec. 24, 1915 in New Jersey to Ada
Fordham from Long Island, New York and John Williams from Ohio. She
came to California by steamship at 10 years of age, traveling
through the Panama Canal. The family settled in Sausalito, her
father working for the Shreve Co. in San Francisco as a jeweler.
She married her husband Carl E. Church of North Carolina in 1931,
and made their home in Sausalito. There they raised four
children.
In their retirement in 1964, they purchased a 6-acre ranch in
Freestone. They enjoyed the country life growing vegetables and
spending time at the ocean with their children and grandchildren.
Her husband preceded her in death in 1976.
She remained in her farmhouse home until her death with her
grandson Larry as her caregiver and companion. She is survived by
her daughter, Evelyn Dryer and her husband Hobart, son Larry Church
of Freestone, 17 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren and 2
great-great grandchildren. Her two sons Robert H. and John C.
Church, her parents, brother Edward Williams, and sister Evelyn
also preceded her in death.
Dino D. Grassilli
Dino D. Grassilli died at home in Windsor Saturday Feb. 7, 2009
at the age of 96.
He was the loving husband of Rita F. Grassilli for over 70
years.  Dino was the beloved father of Robert Grassilli and dear
brother of Yolanda (late, Primo) Arnaudo, and the late Robert
(late; Marie and daughter, Sr. Diane Grassilli R.S.M.) and Joe
Grassilli.  He is also survived by his sister-in-law Gloria (late
Joe) Grassilli, his nephews Victor (Pat ) Arnaudo Robert (Gladys
Mueller) Grassilli,  grand niece Diana (Dennis) Cresci and great
grand niece Isabella Cresci. He will also be missed by many other
family and friends. 
A native of Worcester, Mass. Dino came to California at the age
of sixteen and later began working in the wholesale cleaning
business which he would do for 43 years.  Dino and Rita were
married in Napa and began a marriage, raising a son Robert, that
would last over 70 years.  They moved to Windsor shortly before
Dino’s retirement.  He was an avid fisherman and big game hunter,
traveling to Africa, Alaska and Baja, California to name a
few. 
Private services are being planned.  Inurnment was private. 
Memorial contributions preferred to Healdsburg District Hospital
1375 University Ave., Healdsburg, Ca 95448.
John C. Fredson – Loved to hunt
John C. Fredson was preceded in death by his dad Don. He is
survived by his loving mother Josephine, his sister Mary Ann
Hopper, husband Logan and his niece Elizabeth Hopper will surely
miss him. He will also be dearly missed by all the people who got
to know him in their life. He was very well loved by all his
friends and by his daughter Carly and by his girlfriend Annette. He
loved to visit his friends and hunt and fish out of state with his
good friends. He also loved his Harley Davidson. We will all miss
his smiling face and the love that he had for everyone. He loved
his close friends and he was always there if any of them needed
anything. We will all think of him every time that we hear a Harley
or the guys go hunting out of state. He will never be forgotten in
our hearts and in our thoughts. He was uncle John to Chevelle and
Taylor and they will never forget him. He has always worked in the
wine industry and he was a great asset to Trentadue Winery. His
birthday is Feb. 17 and his friends would like everyone to raise a
glass to a man that will be missed forever and never forgotten.
Hazel Wren – Active member of Madera
community
Hazel Wren, 86, of Healdsburg, California, passed to her rest on
January 25,2009.
Hazel moved to Healdsburg in 1997 after having lived in Madera,
California, for most of 53 years. There she and her husband Rinaldo
(Rennie) raised their two daughters, Carrie Ann and Rebecca
Leigh.
Hazel was born in Brevard, North Carolina, and raised on a farm
in Salem, South Carolina along with three brothers and a sister.
She met her husband, Rinaldo, at a UFO dance in Brevard in 1944.
There were married several months later.
Following their move to Madera after the war, Hazel became an
active member in the community. She volunteered in Children’s Home
Society fundraising, worked in St. Vincent de Paul’s thrift store,
and led Rotary Anns when her husband served as Rotary
president.
Hazel was the consummate homemaker. She sewed most of her
daughter’s clothes and completed Becky’s wedding dress by hand. She
mastered the needle arts of crotchet, knitting, and needlepoint.
Her framed works still grace the homes of many friends and
relatives. She was hired by Gottschalk’s and Weinstock’s stores to
manage their needlework departments and conducted numerous
workshops and classes.
Nowhere were Hazel’s talents on better display than in the area
of golf, a game she was truly passionate about. She served as the
president of the women’s golf group and maintained a single-digit
handicap for years. During this time her wins in club and regional
championships in the Central Valley were plentiful. At the peak of
her amateur career, Hazel played in tournaments where she competed
with such golf greats as Mickey Wright and Patty Berg. Never one to
boast of her achievements, she felt the proper place for her many
trophies was in cardboard boxes under the stairs. The single
exception was a silver loving cup she was particularly fond of. It
held a subtle place of honor, with the engraving turned backward,
on the fireplace mantle.
Hazel’s zest for life was an inspiration to those around her.
She will be missed greatly by her family, including four
grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Her friends at St.
John’s church will miss her active participation in their numerous
church activities. Thanks to them for being so good to her for all
these years.
Finally, her family, many friends and acquaintances will
remember a heroic woman who struggled and managed to the end to
maintain her dignity and positive outlook. Well done, Mom.
A celebration of Hazel’s life will be held at the home of Tom
and Becky Kirkpatrick in March. Memorial contributions in Hazel’s
name can be made to Memorial Hospice of Santa Rosa, California.
Joseph (Bud) A. Robbins – Served in Navy during
WWII
Joseph (Bud) A. Robbins December 2, 1926 – January 31, 2009
Known for his wit, humor and kindness, Bud was born in Binghamton,
raised in Elmira, NY, attended U of Missouri, and earned an MA in
Ed. at NYU. He served in the Navy during WWII, settled in SF in
’59, shared homes in Bernal Heights and Healdsburg with his late
companion Joe Maloney. The retired teacher (30+ years at Crocker
School, Hillsborough) was a devoted volunteer activist, a charter
member of Alexander Hamilton Am. Legion Post 448, the nation’s only
post with members mostly GLBT veterans. He held memberships in Am.
Vets for Equal Rights, Veterans for Peace, Sr. Net, PFLAG, BANGLE,
appeared in the ’94 NY “Stonewall 25” event and many SF Veterans
Day and Gay Pride Day parades. He was the beloved brother of Dorie
Lurie (FL); uncle of Judi, Stephen J. and Justin Gorski; and
longtime closest friend of Bill Peterson (SF). Life celebration
info: Call Judi at 415-716-3004.
Helendale Autry Barrett – Active member of Healdsburg
community
Helendale, born July 16, 1922, passed away peacefully with her
family by her side on Feb. 10, 2009 at the age of 86. She was
preceded in death by her husband of 55 years John D. Barrett.
Helendale was born in Sacramento, California and moved to
Healdsburg at the age of two. She graduated from Healdsburg High
School, class of 1940.
Helendale was the first female Branch Manager for Bank of
America. Her love of, and expertise at, bookkeeping led her to
several interesting positions in the area, including 12 years as
bookkeeper, and then manager at the Healdsburg Chamber of Commerce.
She was very active in the community, PTA president, Sunday school
teacher at the Federated Church for 10 years, a lifetime member of
Soroptimist Club, member of the Healdsburg Women’s Golf Club and a
volunteer at the Healdsburg Museum.
Helendale is survived by her two children, Robert (Diane)
Barrett of Long Beach, and Judy (Mike) Belli of Healdsburg, her 5
five grandchildren, Cheryle Belli, Jim (Mia) Belli, Kathy (Pat)
Burns, Judie (Alan) Rose, John (Soni) Barrett. Also survived by her
ten great-grandchildren, Tommy, Cortney, Gary, Anna, Brent, Jack,
Emily, Kaylee, Matthew, and Samantha.
The family cordially invites all who want to attend an open
house starting at 1 p.m. at the home of Mike and Judy Belli, 307
Willow Glen Ct. Healdsburg, CA on Sunday, Feb. 15, 2009. Donations
may be made to Canine Companions P.O. Box 446, Santa Rosa, CA
95402-0446 or Healdsburg Museum, P.O. Box 952, Healdsburg, CA
95448.