Obituaries 3-10-16

Christine Anne Biggers
Christine Anne Biggers, age 66, died surrounded by family, from cancer, on Nov. 21, 2015. She is survived by her loving husband of 44 years, Bill and their two children: Sarah Frank of Redding, her husband Tom and grandchildren Hannah, Jack and Luke; and their son Joshua Biggers of Mililani, Hawaii, his wife Ann and grandson Micah; her brother Randy Lane and his wife Erica who live in Cloverdale. Christine was born in Santa Rosa on July 28, 1949. She and Bill attended Santa Rosa High School where she loved playing cello in orchestra, ballet dancing and mathematics, graduating in 1967. She and Bill married in 1971, building their life together around their faith in Jesus and the Bible. While Bill worked at Simi Winery in Healdsburg for 31 years, Chris devoted herself to family life and serving in church. At times she worked at various jobs and home schooled several years. She returned to college in 1994 to achieve her AA degree while their children were attending universities. In 2004, she and Bill retired to Redding. Chris was a kind and gentle soul who loved her family and friends as well as gardening, cooking, hiking, lap swimming, and worshipping God in prayer, music and dance. Internment is at Redding Memorial Park. A memorial service will be held March 19, at 2 p.m. at the Santa Rosa Christian Church 1315 Pacific Avenue Santa Rosa, CA. 95404.
Bernard Kenneth Whittaker
California native son Bernard Kenneth Whittaker, son of Bernard Ashley Whittaker and Muriel Louisa McGregor Whittaker, died on March 4, 2016 on his ranch in Manton, California. A Karuk tribe member and great grandson of California gold rush pioneer John Titus of Happy Camp, Ken was born in Yreka on October 7, 1934. Ken was raised in Hopland where he was a basketball star and a two time Mendocino county champion miler. After playing the trumpet and serving in the U.S. Navy, Ken started his 30-plus year career with the University of California working at the Hopland Field Station. A long term resident of Cloverdale and active in the community, Ken was president of the Jaycees, president of Druids and a baseball and softball coach. Ken was an avid outdoorsman who loved to hunt and fish and he had an uncanny ability to evaluate and work with dogs. He started a second career as a hunting guide and led hunts for over 35 years on many local ranches, including what would become the Jenner Headlands and the Cooley Ranch. Ken carved out an active life enjoying the splendid beauty of wild Northern California. Ken was lucky to share his passion for life and the outdoors with thousands of fellow outdoorsman and was a volunteer for the Department of Fish and Game for the past four years. Ken is survived by his wife Adrian Whittaker; his children and spouses of his children Gary Whittaker, Eileen Whittaker, Ron Whittaker, Rhonda Lopus, Yvonne Lozinto and Harry Lozinto; the mother of his children Jane Fazil (Beaufort); his brother Raymond Whittaker; his grandchildren Shelby Lozinto, Kylee Lozinto, Carly Whittaker, Michael Whittaker and Ryan Whittaker; his stepchildren Ray Strain, Romy Watts and Joshua Strain. The Whittaker family is grateful to Crawford Cooley and the Cooley ranch and for Ken’s 40-plus year friendship and hunting relationship with Marshall Hendren which helped make this spectacular life possible.
Nicholas Joseph Roach
Nicholas Joseph Roach (54), was born December 5, 1961 in Berkeley California. Nick died in his home in Santa Rosa on February 19, 2016. He is preceded into death by Robert Roach (father) and Michael Roach (brother). He is survived by his mother Ruth Roach. Nick was a beloved brother of 10 siblings: brothers Tony, Steve and Tom Roach; sisters Gini Freedman, Robi Pasnick, Carol Silva, Becky Riley, Sandi Rebich and Maria Ringstom. He also had numerous nieces and nephews that were very special to him. Nick had a love for music and the outdoors; his love for his motorcycles was a great example of that. He loved to take long rides to enjoy his days off. He loved fishing and camping. Nick was a trusted and loyal friend to many. His friends and family are invited to a celebration on life on Friday, March 11, at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Windsor, with a Celebration of Life at the Windsor Grange about 12:30 p.m. Instead of flowers, donate to the American Diabetes Foundation in his name.
James Leroy Taber
Jim, 77, was born on December 11, 1938 in Cloverdale and died on Feb. 28 in Klamath Falls, Oregon. Jim was preceded in death by his son, Dennis Taber, his parents, Jess Taber and Wilma Taber Robbins, stepfather Earl Robbins and his sisters, Bonnie Rose and Carol Henson. Jim is survived by his loving wife of nearly 57 years, Frances Taber; his children, Debbie Opperman (Brian), and Dan Taber (Jennifer); his grandchildren, Marc (Briana), Kyle and Jerod Domenichelli, Chase, Hailee and Gavin Taber; his great-grandson, Koa Domenichelli; his brother-in-law Darrel Henson; several nieces, nephews and cousins, as well as countless friends. Jim was born and raised in Cloverdale. He and his wife, Fran, retired and moved to Klamath Falls. He had a great passion for hunting, fishing, tinkering around on his property and spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. He had many great stories of the hunting trips he took with his buddies, son and grandson(s). Jim was a selfless man with a huge, generous heart. While tough and a bit rugged on the outside (a true cowboy) Jim had a soft and loving heart. Jim was a true and genuine friend in every sense of the word. If you needed anything, he was there. A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, March 12, 2016 at the Veterans Memorial Building, 205 West First St., Cloverdale, from 1 to 4 p.m. His family said: “Our Poppy will forever be in our hearts.”