Month: December 2022

Feb 21, 1956 – Aug 20, 2001

  Carolyn L. (Gall) Delacruz, 45, of San Diego died Monday after a lengthy illness at the La Jolla Veterans Administration Hospital in San Diego.  She was born February 21, 1956, at Travis Air Force Base.  As an Army brat, she traveled extensively in Europe with her military career father and family.
   Carolyn was raised and educated primarily in Napa.  She initially attended elementary school in New Jersey but continued her education at Redwood Junior High School and was a member of the initial graduating class of Vintage High School.  Carolyn enjoyed sports and had a passion for reading.  She served eleven years as a medic in the United States Navy with stations in Hawaii, Spain, and the Pacific.
   Carolyn is survived by her parents Chief Warrant Officer 4 Theodore Gall, United States Army retired and Harriet L. Gall; sister and brother-in-law, Barbara L. and Victor A. Franco; brother and sister-in-law Daniel R. and Sally Gall of Amado, Ariz.; four nieces, Alynda and Karyn Franco of Napa, Erin and Shaun Gall of Amado, Ariz; and godfather LtCol Dow J. Richter (USAF Retired) of Yountville.
   Internment was at Tulocay Cemetery, with a memorial service at Tulocay Chapel, on August 25, 2001.

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Nov 11, 1954 – May 06, 2002

Melba Diane Appleyard, 47, died of cancer May 6 at Kaiser Vallejo Hospital.  She was born Nov. 11, 1954, in Marysville and attended high school in Oroville and graduated in 1973 from Vintage High School.
   She married her husband Jerry in October 1979 and they owned and operated Santa Rosa Pest Control for several years.  Most recently she had been employed at the California Veterans Home in Yountville.  Diane enjoyed the simple things in life – cooking for her family and friends, taking walks in the park, rides to the beach and horseback riding.
   She is survived by her husband, Gerald (Jerry) Appleyard, daughter Leanne Appleyard and son Ryan Appleyard, and a grandson, Anthony Guzman, all of Napa; two brothers, Gaile Fry and his wife Shirley, of Napa and Duane Fry and wife Patty of Redding; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by her parents Artie and Juanita Fry.
   A private memorial service was held for family and friends May 19, 2002 at the Tulocay Cemetery Chapel.  Her close friend, Pastor Becky Lara, officiated.
 Arrangements were under the direction of the Struble Family Funeral Services, Vallejo.

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Oct 14, 1955 – Oct 24, 1976

   John E. Dunlap, 21, died Sunday at the Queen of the Valley Hospital following a single car accident.
   Mr. Dunlap was born and raised in San Francisco.  He came to Napa in 1968.  He attended Redwood Jr. High School, Napa High School and Vintage High School, graduating with its first class.  He went to work as a retail clerk at Wine Valley Market.  Later he was employed at Kaiser Steel as a Machinist.
   He is survived by his wife, Karen Dunlap; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Dunlap of Napa and his maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. M.J. Moret of Sherwood, Ore.
   Funeral services were held, October 28, 1976, at the Chapel of Richard Pierce Funeral Service. with the Reverend Erwin Bollinger officiating.
   Interment was at the Napa Valley Memorial Cemetery.
   Pallbearers were: Joe Isola, Mike Imel, Jeff Quimet, Ed Fonville, Tim Pridmore and Gary Caravates.

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Sep 26, 1955 – Dec 16, 1984

   Joy Smith, a resident of Fullerton the last two years, died Sunday at Kaiser Hospital in Los Angeles.  She was 29.
   Mrs. Smith was born in San Francisco and graduated from Vintage High School.
   She was a member of the Church of Latter-day Saints.
   She is survived by her husband, David of Fullerton; her mother, Juanita Decia of Napa, her father, Adolph Mangini of Ignacio; and a brother, Alan G. Mangini of Modesto.
   Graveside services were held Dec 21, 1984 at Tulocay Cemetery in Napa, under the direction of McAulay and Wallace Mortuary in Fullerton.

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Aug 04, 1955 – Aug 01, 2004

   Dan C. Knapp (48) of Grove City, Ohio, passed away suddenly on Sunday August 1, 2004 at his home.
   Dan was born and raised in Napa, CA, graduating from Vintage High School’s first commencement in June 1973.  Following graduation, he attended and graduated with honors from Napa Valley College, and then went on to receive his biblical doctorate from Simpson Bible College in San Jose, CA in 1977.  After graduating, Dan served on the mission field, in Thailand as part of Christian Missionary Alliance Church’s out reach.  He also pastored numerous churches, in various capacities, all over California.
   Dan was the Executive director of the Capital Area Humane Society (CAHS) since January 2002.  In his 2-1/2 years of leadership at the Society, he has used as his strongest guide the organization’s singular mission of working to eliminate the cruelty, abuse, neglect and abandonment of animals.  Dan also served as chief Humane Agent of the CAHS, and was empowered under Ohio revised code to carry out his duties in this capacity.  Prior to his move to central Ohio, Dan held the position of General Manager of the Los Angeles Department of Animal Services, appointed by Los Angeles mayor Richard Riordan in 1998.  His career in animal services spans 15 years.  It was one built upon a deep and personal devotion for the world’s most vulnerable and precious creatures.  Whether it be Executive Director or General Manager, no professional title compared to the one bestowed upon him by grateful friends of the CAHS.  To many Dan was a specialist in the changing of lives through his deep and unconditional love of animals.  He also served with the Humane Society of Sonoma County in Santa Rosa, as Executive Director prior to assuming his duties in Los Angeles.
   Dan is survived by his children Noelle and Joshua Knapp of Grove City, Ohio, his father Clyde E. Knapp, his brothers Ross E. Knapp and Roger A. Knapp, his devoted and special aunt and uncle Betty June Knapp and Clarence E. Knapp Jr., all of Napa, CA, uncle Ray A. Foshee of Windsor CA., and many numerous aunts, uncles, cousins as well as many, many loving and devoted friends.  He was predeceased by his mother Helen in 1998.
   Friends are invited to attend the funeral services at 1:30 p.m. Friday August 13, 2004 at the Chapel of Richard Pierce Funeral Service, 1660 Silverado Trail, Napa, CA, with Napa’s Law Enforcement and Fire Chaplain Lee Shaw officiating.  A private interment will take place at Tulocay Cemetery at a later date.  Following the funeral services, there will be a private gathering for the immediate family only.  In lieu of flowers, the family has requested to please send contributions and donations in Dan’s memory to the Humane Society of Napa County, P.O. Box 695, Napa, CA 94559.

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Sep 23, 1955 – Apr 02, 2020

   Sherie Lynn Knudsen, 64 passed away peacefully in the arms of her husband on Apr 2, 2020 after a courageous battle with cancer.
   Sherie was born on September 23, 1955 in Grand Rapids Michigan and later moved to Napa California as an adolescent. Sherie attended Vintage High School and Napa Valley College.  Sherie retired from a successful 20 year career with AAA emergency road service.  Sherie later drove a para transit bus for Vine Go in Napa.
   Sherie is survived by her husband of 25 years, 2 children of her own, 4 children through marriage, 14 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren, and 1 brother.
   Besides spending time with her family and friends Sherie enjoyed traveling, going to the ocean, listening to music, singing, quilting, and caring for her dogs.
   Sherie touched many hearts and lives with her unparalleled generosity, kindness, honesty, sense of humor, and love.
   Sherie will always be remembered as being a mother to everyone, for having the biggest heart, the brightest smile, a warriors spirit and that she was fiercely loyal.
   “I am grateful every day for who God is in my life, I am grateful for the people he has put in my life for me to love.  I am truly blessed.  When my body is gone please remember my heart.”

Mar 15, 1955 – Jan 13, 1995

   Diane Susan Forsey passed away Friday, January 13, 1995, at a local hospital following a long illness. She was 39.
   Diane was born in Milwaukie, Wisconsin.  She worked as a Data Entry Operator at Sutter Solano Medical Center for eight years.  She enjoyed being a mother and a wife and going to Disneyland.
   Diane is survived by her husband John and their son Jeremy and daughter Danielle of American Canyon; her father and mother Otto and Marion Draeger and sister Denise also of American Canyon.  Diane is also survived by her brother Richard Draeger, his wife Melinda, and their daughters Kaylin and Cassidy all of El Dorado Hills; another sister Linda Messer, her husband Mike, and their children Stephanie, Phillip, Helena and Michael of Vacaville; her grandmother Lena Clark of Napa, and her mother-in-law Eileen Forsey of Napa.
   Funeral services were held Wednesday, January 18, 1995 at Napa Valley Memorial Park Chapel, with Pastor Marshall P. Stevens of Calvary Baptist Church of American Canyon officiating.
   Diane wanted to encourage everyone to be tested for the bone marrow donor list.  Contributions may be made to the Leukemia Society of America.

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Aug 02, 1955 – Nov 03, 1992

   Robin Lucille Clark Bruce, 37, died here unexpectedly Nov. 3 at her home in Camino, California.
   Born in Vallejo on Aug. 2, 1955, to Ward and Dorothy Clark, Mrs. Bruce graduated from Vintage High School.
   For the last six months, she was employed as a graphics artist at Printing Press in Placerville.  She had also worked for many years for the California State Department of Corrections and was responsible for the installation of the coffee roasting plant at Mule Creek State Prison in Ione.
   Mrs. Bruce is survived by her husband, James of Camino; two daughters, Amy Santiago and Meghan Takahashi, both of Camino; two stepchildren; her parents, Ward and Dorothy Clark of Napa; a sister, Dena McGraw of Napa; her grandmother, Arlene Clark of Couer d’ Alene, Idaho; and a niece.  Two children predeceased her.
   No services were held.  Interment was at Tulocay Cemetery.  Arrangements were under the direction of Chapel of the Pines Funeral Home in Placerville.

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Jul 08, 1955 – Oct 15, 1998

   Gwen DeLonzor, a native of Napa, passed away Oct. 15.
   A beautiful Norse princess born July 8, 1955 in San Francisco.  Gwen spent her childhood in Napa.  She lived most of her life in Northern California and in Colorado.
   She is survived by her loving family, which includes her father, Robert V. DeLonzor of Napa; her mother, Louise Lidicker of Berkeley; her sister, Diane DeLonzor Dan of San Francisco; and her brothers, Gerry DeLonzor of Folsom and Russ DeLonzor of San Ramon.
   The family would like to share Gwen’s memory with the many hearts she touched and a celebration of her life on Sunday at the Corinthian Yacht Club in Tiburon between the hours of 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.
   She “took her fill of music, joy of thought and seeing came and stayed and went and never ceased to smile” (R.L.S.).  She graced our valley with her prescence.  Love is eternal – “Forever and a day …”

DATES

June 13, 1955 – Apr 30, 1977

   James Henry Craig, 21, of 2186 D Parrish Drive, died early Saturday morning as the result of a fire at his home.
   Mr. Craig was born in Greensburg, Pa., on June 13, 1955.  He came to Napa when he was six months old and attended Snow and Salvador elementary schools, Redwood Junior High School and Napa High School.  He graduated from Vintage High School in 1973.
   He was married to the former Connie Juanita Dipp in Reno, Nev.
   He worked in landscaping first with the state division of highways in Vallejo and later for the City of Napa street maintenance department.
   Survivors include his wife, Connie of Napa; his parents, J. Henry and Koleen T. Craig of Napa; two brothers Peter and Ben Craig, both of Napa; three sisters, Amy, Kayte and Kelly Craig, all of Napa.  A great-grandmother, Mrs. Delcia Suttle of Napa and two grandmothers, Mrs. Kathryn Tice of Sacramento and Mrs. Merle Craig of Pennsylvania also survive.
   Friends are invited to attend funeral services at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Treadway & Wigger Funeral Chapel with the Pastor A. Geoffrey Ratcliffe of the Napa Seventh-day Adventist Church officiating.
   Interment will follow at Tulocay Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be Phillip Rusin, Don MacVitie, Earl Grzelek, Ron “Skipper” Swim, Charles Crandall and Dick Mendez, acting.

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