Obituaries

On January 1, 2021, Thomas Lee Vonder Haar, loving husband and father passed away at age 85 in Windsor, CA. Thomas was born on March 19,1935 in Hamilton, OH to Carl and Frances (Baker) Vonder Haar. 

Charles Everett Shere died quietly at home outside Healdsburg on December 15, 2020 after a 25-year “dance” with prostate cancer. He was 85 years old. Lindsey, his wife of 63 years, was at his side. Charles is also survived by his brother Jim Shere...

Joel Frederic Jones passed from us peacefully on December 23rd, 2020, in Tucson, Arizona, succumbing after several years of health-related struggles. Joel’s will to live was powerful.  Joel was born in September, 1973, in Charleston, West Virginia. His mother Regina relocated the family to Northern...

It is with profound and deep sorrow our family must share that we lost our sweet Sheryl Ann (Bullard) Shafer on December 11, at the age of 61.Sheryl moved to Cloverdale with her family in 1971, and always considered northern California and Cloverdale her true home. She easily embraced the small-town life, building a close ensemble of lifelong friends and eventually meeting her husband and soulmate, Ron. She was active in softball, the CHS cheerleading squad and was a faithful fan of all Eagles teams. Cloverdale was smaller then, but the beaches of the Russian River, the ball field at the City Park, the Clover Theater and other local hangouts were pieces of that upbringing she held close to her heart and always referred to as “simpler times.” Sheryl and Ron married at the United Church of Cloverdale in 1980, then soon moved to southern California to raise their two daughters and son. Family was Sheryl’s everything, (plus the beloved cats, dogs and even birds that rounded out the Shafer household). From soccer to camping and RVs, to holidays, birthdays, and her Tom Petty concerts, she was always up for an event, celebration or a visit with family and friends. These included visits to and from mother Betty, who Sheryl always said was her North Star.Her three children would bless her with five grandchildren, who added another beautiful layer to that family she cherished so much. She fell naturally and lovingly into the role of doting grandmother, and during her illness cherished their hugs, laughter, photos and video chats as her very best medicine. First came four sweet little boys, and she joked she might someday have a sports team. When her granddaughter was born, Sheryl said she was “decorating” her when choosing outfit and headband ensembles. In the years to come, our family will ensure we share our favorite stories of Sheryl with them, to be sure they learn all about her, and know how very much she loved them.Sheryl is survived by her husband of 40 years, Ron; daughters Brooke Weber (Colin) and Erin Allen (Shaun); son Jeff Shafer (Becca); grandchildren Chase Weber, Jack and Drew Allen, Corbin and Connor Shafer; and sisters Debbie Ornelas, Karen Lamb, and Robyn Nieto. Sheryl was preceded in death by her father Dave in 1989, and mother Betty in March of 2020.If we have a message to share, it’s to hold your loved ones close, for nothing is guaranteed. Rest peacefully, Sheryl. There’s a big void in our family today.

Born into a family of orange growers, scholars, builders, and artists, Bill was a 5th generation Californian. Until he left for college, he lived in Orange County where he discovered his keenness for golf. The only child of Martin and Jean Bowman, Bill spent...

Keith McPherson, age 76, passed away on Dec. 15, 2020 due to stomach cancer. He is survived by his son Rob McPherson (Tami), brothers Sonny McPherson (Mary) and Paul McPherson, long-time companion Linda Clary and nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by parents Ellis...

Our family is deeply saddened to lose such a wonderful son, brother, grandfather and father. Gary is predeceased by his father, Lloyd Coleman and his grandaughter, Laina Coleman. His mother, Wanda Monticelli, and step-father, Frank Monticelli, will miss him terribly. His son Gary Coleman...

Roland was born in Merced to Josephine and Douglas Hartsough, joining older brother, Walter. When Douglas passed away in 1936, Josephine moved the family to San Francisco to live with her mother. Although Roland was initially not fond of the move, he came to...

Lawrence R Todd was born February 4, 1925 in Freestone, CA to Don Otto Todd and Martha Todd and passed away on November 23, 2020 at home in Sebastopol. He was a WWII veteran of the US Army and later employed for 31 years...

Janelle Kilmer, a deeply loved daughter, mother, wife, and friend, departed this earth unexpectedly in her sleep, early the morning of Sept. 10, 2020 at the age of 42.  Born in Santa Rosa, raised in Geyserville, she graduated from Ursuline High School in 1996, received...