Obituaries – click here

Hal Kagan – Voice of Apple Blossom Parade
Hal Kagan taught anthropology, sold sofa covers and was the
voice of the Apple Blossom Festival Parade. Kagan, 82, died last
week in Santa Rosa from complications related to Alzheimer’s
disease.
A Sonoma County resident 33 years, Kagan taught at Santa Rosa
Junior College, and acted in several theater companies
Kagan worked as a marriage counselor and was the first man
appointed to the Sonoma County Commission on the Status of
Women.
He grew up during the Great Depression in Brooklyn, where he was
born in 1926. Kagan, his brother and sister were first-generation
Americans, born to Russian-Jewish parents.
His father died when Kagan was four years old, so he was raised
by his mother and stepfather until leaving home at 17 to join the
Army Air Corps. As a corporal, he was a mechanic and saw combat
duty in Europe.
After the war, he returned to New York to become a successful
sofa cover salesman for Sure Fit, the nation’s leading supplier of
slipcovers and related decorative items. He took a West Coast
manager’s position with the Pennsylvania-based company in the early
1960s and moved to Sausolito.
Kagan began taking classes at College of Marin in the mid-1960s,
and later completed degrees in cultural anthropology at San
Francisco State University and UC Riverside.
Kagan financed his education with acting and restaurant jobs. He
never became a star, but found ample work in TV commercials and
shows, some small movie parts, and in voiceover work.
Kagan’s first teaching job was in Riverside after he finished
his doctorate there in the early 1970s. He moved to Sonoma County
in 1975 to teach at Santa Rosa Junior College, where he taught
anthropology and sociology into the late 1990s.
Kagan became a licensed psychotherapist and specialized in
marriage and family counseling. He had a practice in Sebastopol,
where he lived, as he continued to teach part-time at the junior
college.
Throughout the years, Kagan continued his acting, performing on
the stages of the Actor’s Theater, Santa Rosa Players and Main
Street Theater.
Kagan was also adept at speaking several languages. He grew up
speaking Russian and Yiddish before learning English. Later, he
learned Spanish while doing research abroad in Colombia.
Survivors in addition to his wife Rhoda Bernie include brother
Sam Kagan of New Jersey; and son Daniel Kagan of Delaware.
Private services are planned. Memorial donations may be made to
the Alzheimer’s Association.
Donner Lee Ungewitter – Father of two
Donner Ungewitter died on Sept. 7, 2008 in Santa Rosa.
Ungewitter was born in Sebastopol on March 10, 1938 to Donner
William Ungewitter and Lulu Frazer. He was father of Darin
(deceased) and Donner Lee Ungewitter Jr. of Oakland, CA. Ungewitter
leaves behind a brother, David Frazer of Placerville, and a sister
Sue Ungewitter of Sebastopol, his surviving son, and grandson
Donner Lee Ungewitter III.
There will be a graveside service at Georgetown Cemetery in
Georgetown, CA on Friday, Sept. 20 at 1 p.m.
James Nagy – Lifelong community involvement
James “Jim” Nagy died on Sept. 12, 2008 at his home in
Sebastopol at the age of 82, with his family by his side. He was
born March 31, 1926 in Sebastopol and has been a lifelong resident,
graduating from Analy High in 1943. Nagy served in the U.S. Navy
Armed Guard during WWII.
He was a founding member of the Sebastopol Little League and was
involved in many other youth sports including, Forestville Little
League, Pop Warner Football, Sebastopol Sea Serpents, soccer and El
Molino High School Boosters. He was a life member of the PTA and a
board member and past President for the Oak Grove School Board.
Nagy was a volunteer and docent for the West County Museum and VFW
Secretary for Local Post 3919 for many years, and was a member of
the Sebastopol S.I.R.S., Lion’s Club and the International Order of
Hoo Hoo. Nagy was an avid sports enthusiast.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Irene Nagy (Rohde);
sister, Margaret Stoops; four children, Jan (Mike Ketchum) Nagy,
Bill Nagy, Judith (Matt) Bremar and Doug (Jenny) Nagy; four
granddaughters, Sarah (Jeff Becker) Nagy, Kathy (Alan) Hollis,
Jennifer Nagy and Paige Nagy; sister-in-law, Gert (Merv) Williams;
and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
A Memorial Service will be held Friday, Sept. 19 at noon at the
Veteran’s Memorial Building, 282 High St., Sebastopol.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Jim’s name to the
West County Museum, Sutter VNA & Hospice in Santa Rosa, VFW
Post 3919 or the organization of your choice.
Bill Sieker – Avid family man and sports
fan
Bill Sieker passed away in Santa Rosa on September 8, 2008. He
was the dearly beloved husband of Barbara Sieker of Windsor; adored
father of Amy Sieker of Napa and Megan Sieker of Windsor; loving
son of Yvonne Dahl of Redding; dear brother of Denise Bevins (Don),
Cindy Sieker, Jeanne Watkins (Charlie), David Sieker, and Dwayne
Merrill (Sonja); son in law of Americo Martinoni, sister in law of
Kathy Mengali (Joe), and brother in law of Rick Martinoni (Mary),
also survived by numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and
nephews. He was a native of Redwood City and lifelong resident of
Sonoma County, age 51 years. Bill was a Painting Contractor for
over 15 years. He enjoyed being actively involved with his
daughter’s soccer and softball activities. He was also an avid
baseball and football fan.
Friends are invited to a Celebration of Life Service on
Saturday, September 20, 2008 at 11 a.m. at Daniels Chapel of the
Roses, 1225 Sonoma Ave, Santa Rosa. Private inurnment. The family
prefers memorial contributions to the “Bill Sieker Memorial Fund”,
at any Exchange Bank, to ensure his daughter’s educations.
Albert “Ed” Hickey – Navy Veteran
Albert “Ed” Hickey entered into rest at home, September 5, 2008
in Windsor, CA. He was the eearly beloved husband of Kathryn L.
Hickey of Windsor, CA, adored father of Lauren Hickey and
Alexandrea Hickey; both of San Francisco, CA, Caitlin Hickey of San
Luis Obispo, CA and Jennifer Hickey of Windsor, CA. He is also
survived by his first wife and dear friend; Ingrid Peterson of
Kentfield, CA along with their son, Kevin Patrick Hickey of Marin
County. He was the loving son-in-law of John Anderson of
Healdsburg, CA and brother-in-law of Kathy J. Hickey of San Jose,
CA. Ed was the “Favorite” Uncle to Erin, Diana, Matt and the late
Mark Hickey. A native of Saratoga, WY; age 70 years.
Ed was preceded in death by his parents; Clifford and Mildred
Hickey of Sonora, CA and his older brother; Harold Hickey of San
Jose, CA. Ed was raised in the State of Washington and lived in the
Bay Area for over forty years.
Ed was a well-known and respected Commercial Real Estate
Appraiser in Sonoma County and was a designated member of the
Appraisal Institute, holding both an MAI and SRA title. Throughout
his long professional career, Ed was a mentor and role model to
many. He was a proud veteran of the U.S. Navy, having served from
1956 to 1962. Ed was an accomplished wood carver and over the years
enjoyed spending time in his shop creating beautiful pieces of
art.
Ed was a wonderful father and a true friend. He was an esteemed
member of the Royal House of Hornsby Boys Club, where for the past
twenty years he enjoyed the company of his buddies on their
semi-annual retreats to one of his favorite destinations, The Sea
Ranch. We are especially grateful to Alan Ziff, Ed’s close friend
of many years for the love and support he gave to the entire family
throughout this difficult time. The family would like to
acknowledge with sincere thanks and appreciation, Memorial Hospice
for their kindness and care for Ed during his illness.
 Family and friends are invited to attend a Celebration of Life
with Military Honors for Ed at 11 a.m. on Friday, September 26,
2008 at the Lafferty & Smith Colonial Chapel (4321 Sonoma
Highway, Santa Rosa, CA, 95409). Private inurnment. As an
expression of sympathy, the family prefers memorial contributions
in Ed’s name be made to Memorial Hospice, 821 Mendocino Avenue,
Santa Rosa, CA, 95401.
Fred William Ward – Ranch manager who loved
hunting
Fred William Ward was born on May 22, 1986 in Vail, Colorado. He
died on Sept. 14, 2008 in a vehicle accident at the age of 22 in
Macdoel, Calif. near his ranch.
He leaves behind his loving wife Tiffany, with whom he had just
begun a life full of promise, hope and dreams. They were fortunate
to have had several years together and a married life of a little
over a year, having been married June 9, 2007 in a beautiful
Catholic ceremony in Sonoma County.
Fred lived his short life to the fullest, appreciating each
moment and opportunity that each day held. He’d awake to his wife
and soulmate Tiffany, and the promise of what the land under his
feet had to offer, whether it be working on the ranch or his
favorite activity, hunting. Fred’s easy going personality and his
ever-present smile were a gift that everyone he met or those he
already knew were blessed by. To know Fred was to love Fred.
Fred was the ranch manager for his in-law’s ranch, Lonesome
Dove, in Siskiyou County. He was running a very successful alfalfa
operation and was wise beyond his years in the farming and ranching
industry.
Fred had many accomplishments including the long-standing record
of Grand Champion Livestock at the Napa Town and Country Fair, he
was a state level cattle showman, hunter/fisherman/outdoorsman,
youngest person to take and pass his Hunter’s Safety in Napa
County, All-Star Little League baseball player, a growing
collection of wildlife mounts and the absolute, all-around, most
coordinated person you ever met.
In addition to his wife, Fred leaves behind his loving parents
Frank and Joanne Ward of Napa, his brother Frank (Christina) Ward
of Napa, his sister Vanessa (Shawn) LeVan of Napa, his beloved
in-laws Kevin and Linda Barr of Healdsburg, sister-in-laws Lauren
and Megan Barr and Jessica (Kevin) Gill of Sacramento. He also
leaves behind three nephews, Andrew Gill, Will Ward and Chase LeVan
and one niece, Wren LeVan. Not only was Fred the God-father to his
niece Wren, his nephew Andrew and his second cousin, Rio Pagliaro,
but also best buds and hunting instructor to Chase and Will. Fred
also had many aunts, uncles, 22 cousins, many second cousins and
too many friends to count.
Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial service at
St. John’s Catholic Church in Healdsburg on Saturday, Sept. 20 at
noon.
Bonny Jean Hanchett – Owner and publisher of the
Cloverdale Reveille
Bonny Jean Hanchett, the owner and publisher of the Cloverdale
Reveille newspaper died Sept. 7, 2008 in Cloverdale. She was 88
years old.
Hanchett, also the former owner and editor of the Clear Lake
Observer-American in Lake County, was known as BJ to her many
friends. She ran the Reveille for 20 years after purchasing the
paper in 1987.  She reported on the Cloverdale City Council and
Planning Commission and was honored for her involvement in the
Cloverdale Historical Society. BJ was well known for her generous
support of the town through her deep understanding of the
importance and meaning of true community journalism.
Bonny was born in Muskegon, Michigan and grew up in the
Northwest. She became interested in journalism at a young age and
attended Washington State University at Pullman, Wash. where she
received her degree in English. Also at Pullman, she met her
husband, Ross Hanchett, who died in 1986.
The Hanchetts purchased the Clear Lake Observer-American in 1956
and moved to Lower Lake with their four children to start a long
career of small newspaper publishing, with Ross acting as publisher
and Bonny Jean as editor and reporter.
Services will be held on Saturday, Sept. 20 at 1 p.m. at the
Fred Young Chapel in Cloverdale, with a gathering at the family
home afterwards.