OBITUARIES – Click here

Donna K. Marshall Cream – Passionate about
art
On October 1, 2008, Donna K. Marshall Cream, born in Oklahoma
City, Oklahoma on December 14, 1941, journeyed to join her mother,
Elaine Jenkins, her father, John Maples Thompson, and her sister,
Bonnie Blum. For the last two years, Donna courageously faced the
challenges of cancer with dignity and grace. She danced into the
next life surrounded by her loving daughters, Lisa and Kelly
Lemmons, and her devoted husband, Joe.
Donna moved to Half Moon Bay in 1972 and then to Healdsburg in
1979. She was an accomplished business woman in the real estate and
mortgage industry for over thirty years. Six years ago, Donna
semi-retired and moved to Reno, Nevada.
Donna had the ability to take the beauty of nature and bring it
alive in her art. Her passions were art, gardening, and making a
beautiful home. She was a master at creating visual splendor.
Donna’s love of family extended to many children whom she
treated as her own, giving them comfort when they were in need. She
was a trusting and generous individual who provided support for so
many people, taking them under her wing and presenting them with
new opportunities.
She celebrated life to its fullest, and her joie de vivre was
infectious. When she played her castanets, everyone knew the night
would last into the dawn.
Donna was a special person, as anyone whose life she touched can
attest, and although she has moved on to a better place, she will
never be forgotten.
She is survived by a brother, many grandchildren, one great
grandchild, several nieces and nephews, and countless friends.
James C. Dawson Jr. – 88 years old
James C. Dawson Jr., M.D., died at his home in Healdsburg,
surrounded by his wife and children, Monday, Nov. 3, 2008 at the
age of 88. He was the loving husband, for 63 years, of Jane Lippert
Dawson, D.D.S.  He was the dear father of: James C. (Barbara)
Dawson III, Patrick J. (Karen) Dawson, Chloe (Bill) Thurman,
William L. (Rae) Dawson, Bernadette Dawson (Fred Best), Chris T.
(Lisa) Dawson, Janeann Dawson, Robert A. (Linda) Dawson, Terese D.
(Jim) Doolittle and the late Celia Dawson. He was the beloved
brother of the late Bernice Scott and the adored grandfather of 24
grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren.
Friends were invited to attend a Rosary Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2008
at 7 p.m. at St. John’s the Baptist Catholic Church, Healdsburg. A
Funeral Mass was celebrated at 11 a.m. Thursday at St. John’s.
Interment will be at Oak Mound Cemetery, Healdsburg.
Kenichi Akutagawa – Attended Analy High
Kenichi Akutagawa died in Santa Clara on Oct. 21, 2008.
Akutagawa was born in Santa Rosa and attended Analy High School. He
is survived by wife Molly of 55 years; daughters Lee Ann, Gwen
(Joe), Linda (Tim), six grandchildren, and three
great-grandchildren. Akutagawa is also survived by sisters Mieko
(John) and Ets (Eddie), and brothers Ben and Bill. Memorial
services will be held at the Enmanji Buddhist Temple, 1200
Gravenstein Hwy South, Sebastopol, on Saturday, Nov. 15 at 3
p.m.
Raymond R. Govea – Survived by ‘66 Mustang
Raymond Govea died at home Oct. 27, 2008 in Sebastopol at the
age of 86. He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Wenonah; his son
Richard and wife Margaret, and son Rodger and wife Edith.
Grandfather of Katharine, Barbara, Elizabeth, Julia, and Carolyn
and great-grandfather of Charlotte, Nicholas, Diego, Emilia, and
Marta; and survived also by his 1966 Mustang. Native of Oakland, he
served in World War II in Naval Air, South Pacific. Member of
Sebastopol chapter of SIRS, Acacia Lodge #243 F&AM. Govea was
the retired head of Small Business, DOD, Western Area.
Jose H. Hernandez – Married to Margarita for 46
years
Jose Hernandez died at home surrounded by his family on Oct. 25,
2008 in Sebastopol at the age of 74. Husband of 46 years to
Margarita Hernandez, father of Seberio Hernandez (Leticia) of Santa
Rosa, Juan Hernandez (Priya) of Los Angeles, Inez Almaras (Jesus)
of Windsor, Delia Holst (Richard) of Santa Rosa, and Joe Hernandez
of Santa Rosa. Adored grandfather of Michael, Jessica, Amanda and
Natalie Hernandez; Isabella and Melina Hernandez; and Jacob and
Cory Holst. Jose was born in La Lobera, Michoacan, Mexico. He will
be remembered as a giving and hardworking man who was devoted to
his family.
Darrell Robert Hill – Vietnam veteran, truck
driver
Darrell Hill died at his home in Sebastopol at the age of 63. He
was born on March 5, 1945 in Lake County. He was the son of the
late Robert and Alicia Hill and is survived by his brother, David
Hill of Cave Junction, OR. He is also survived by his three nieces:
Sarah and Melissa Hill, and Danielle Hoesley of Cloverdale. Hill
served as an M.P. in the Vietnam War and was a truck driver for
most of his life. He drove in Utah and Colorado hauling uranium and
gold, and hauled aviation fuel in the western states. Hill belonged
to the Elks Lodge in Utah. He wanted no funeral services and will
be interred privately at Santa Rosa Memorial Park.
Raymond Neil Lewis – Member Operating Engineer’s Local
3
Ray Lewis was born in Willits on Dec. 31, 1944 and died Nov. 6,
2008 in his Sebastopol home after a long illness. He is survived by
his wife Sue of 46 years, his son Dustin, daughter Shelley and four
granddaughters.
Lewis spent most of his life in Sonoma County and went to high
school in Cloverdale. He was a family man, an outdoorsman, Pop
Warner football coach, and a crew chief for Metro Electric auto
racing. He loved building hot rods and spending time with his
Border Collies after retiring from Operating Engineer’s Local
3.
Services will be held at Pleasant Hills Cemetery in Sebastopol,
Friday Nov. 14 at 2 p.m. A celebration of his life will be held
after the service at the Holy Ghost Society at 7960 Mill Station
Rd., Sebastopol.
Evelyn Marie Nickenig – Avid baseball fan
Evelyn Nickenig died on Nov. 7, 2008 at her home in Windsor at
the age of 89. She was born and raised in the Salinas Valley and
has been a Sonoma County resident the past 38 years.
Nickenig was a member and a former editor for the Sonoma County
Ostomy Association for many years. She enjoyed gardening, was an
avid baseball fan and most of all she loved spending time with her
family.
Nickenig was preceded in death by her husband of 54 years, John
J. Nickenig and her son Dennis Nickenig. She is survived by her
daughter, Deanna Doyle; five grandchildren and four
great-grandchildren.
Donations may be made in her name to the American Cancer
Society.