Rest In Peace ~ Donald William Baxter

b. September 23,1929    d. February 29, 2016

On June 17th 2016 we attended a "Reception, honoring Don." This was our second event on this day as we also attended the "Celebration of Life" for Vada Carnes, who I blogged about in my post prior to this one. 

We received in the mail a beautiful accordian card inviting us to this reception at St Michael's Parish Hall. There were several photos through out the card, and I was truly grateful to receive this. 

Don served in the United States Army Signal Corps in Korea. He was an electrician  by trade. During his free time he enjoyed inventing things and being challenged. 

Don married Sharon Hicks (my husband's cousin), who passed 15 months prior to him. They were married 60 years, had four children, and six grandchildren.

Don was known as an inventor and loved to tinker with things. He loved being home and enjoyed time with his family. He also loved See's Peanut Brittle, and the family had this on every table at the reception. 

Don, you will be missed by so many! Family, friends and co-workers! You are again with Sharon, may you fly free with her and the angels! 

Thanks for stopping by! 

Wishing you success in all of your genealogical treasure hunts! 

 Copyright © 2015 Cheryl Palmer All Rights Reserved

Rest In Peace ~ Letty Arvada "Vada" Carnes

b. July 7, 1946   d. June 10, 2016

On June 17, 2016 we attended two celebrations of life. One was for Vada. I have known Vada and her husband almost as long as I have been married to my husband. Vada's husband worked with my husband.

Vada was always happy, she had a smile which made you smile too, even if you weren't in the mood. She was always truly happy to see you, you could see her eyes light up!

After I first met her, I tended to see her mostly at the cleaners where she worked. Later on we would see each other at our husband's functions with work. Occasionally we would run into them around town, mostly at a restaurant. The last time we saw her, several months ago, was indeed in a restaurant! We caught up with each others family and also quickly learned she had some health issues.

Vada and her husband had two children, a son, a daughter, and 5 grandchildren. They were dedicated to their family. Along with raising their own children, they helped raise a couple of their grandchildren. I loved catching up with her and her family and seeing what was happening in their lives whenever we saw them. 

Back in the day, my husband and I had Christmas parties in our home. Several times there were over 100 people that showed up! Vada and her husband were always there. I know they loved socializing with everyone and catching up in their lives as much as I enjoyed catching up with hers.

We were aware Vada had cancer and was treated for it, but we are not sure what her passing was actually attributed to. It doesn't really matter, the main thing is she is out of pain and not suffering any longer, bless her heart. 

We have Vada's family on our minds and in our hearts! May their wife/mother/grandmother bring  smiles to their faces from all of the loving memories they have of her. I think of that smile, and it still makes me smile. A very beautiful, fun, caring and loving lady has left this world, but she is now flying, pain free, with the angels!

You will be truly missed Vada!

Thanks for stopping by! 

Wishing you success in all of your genealogical treasure hunts! 

Copyright © 2016 Cheryl Palmer All Rights Reserved

Rest in Peace ~ Benedito "Ben" John Chianfichi

b. Jan 15, 1929

d. May 18, 2016

Ben was married to my aunt, Julianne Lundberg for 52 years. She passed away in April 2008. They had three children, my cousins.

Ben was in the National Guard, he was a cook. He enjoyed good meals and after graduating college with a degree in business, he became the owner and operator of Radder Dallas Food Brokerage Company.

He loved to golf and belonged to the Buchannan Fields Golf Club. My father, Duane Lundberg also belonged to this club. I can only image the fun they had together out on the course!

Ben and I met for breakfast one morning after after my aunt passed away. It was a great visit, and I am so glad we were able to do that, it leaves me with good memories. Before he moved to live with his daughter and granddaughter, I used to call him once in a while to see how he was doing.

Ben's services were June 10, 2016 in a catholic church in the town where he had lived. The highlight for me was when his granddaughter sang a song she wrote, "Best Friend." She also sang "Because you Loved Me" as a prelude to the service and "You Raise Me Up" towards the end of the service. I was so impressed. Great job Allie!

Ben had 5 grandchildren and two great grandchildren. I looked forward to seeing this side of my family, except for the reason for the gathering. 

I was one of the first people in attendence at the services, hoping to visit a bit with family, because I wasn't able to attend the reception.*** Family members came in to close, or at the start of the services, so I didn't get to talk with anyone. As soon as the service was over I needed to leave. (I did see most all of the family the evening after services as there was a reception for one of my cousins who recently married.)

Thank you Ben for giving aunt Julie, your children and our family a wonderful life, you are now once again with her, may you rest in peace. 

Hugs and love to all family members!

Thanks for stopping by! 

Wishing you success in all of your genealogical treasure hunts! 

***(I didn't attend the reception because a very close friend just lost his wife and daughter to cancer, within a month of each other, and I was going to play cards with his mother, who is 92. Trying to help the family... In fact, I posted about his wife's passing the post prior to this one.)

Copyright © 2015 Cheryl Palmer All Rights Reserved

Rest In Peace ~ Francis "Lynn" Block

Francis "Lynn" Block

Jan 25, 1949 ~ May 1, 2016

Lynn, as she was commonly called, has been a family friend from day one. Our daughter's grew up together, went to the same High School and played softball together. As time went on, most of our daughters were married, and proceeded to have their own families. 

My husband and Lynn's husband went to High School together (which happens to be the same High School our daughter's attended years later). They played sports together and attended major sporting events. In fact, they bowl together now!

Lynn worked as a dental hygenist for several years but eventually started a home day care, and was always busy! My grandchildren were blessed to have been a part of this day care. She was so great with the kids and truly cared about them. As the kids have grown, our grandsons now play baseball in the same league. 

Lynn loved to quilt. She had a great group of family and friends she quilted with on a regular basis. I silently wished I was a part of her group, but they were so much more advanced than I was. I felt though that I could have learned a lot from them.  

She also liked to read and be with her family. It was rare to see her and or her husband without another family member with them.

My husband and I have many wonderful memories of Lynn, especially back in the days when we sat watching our girls play softball.

Unfortunately, cancer attacked Lynn. She battled with it for about 11 months before it got the best of her. 

There was a beautiful Celebration of Life held for Lynn on May 14th. This day happened to be our wedding anniversary. Lynn will forever more be a part of our anniversary. I know she will be celebrating with us each year up there with the angels.

My condolences to every member of the family with Lynn's passing. Lynn was a great woman and will live forever in all of our hearts. Hugs and love to you all.

Thanks for stopping by! 

Wishing you success in all of your genealogical treasure hunts! 

Copyright © 2016 Cheryl Palmer All Rights Reserved

Rest In Peace ~ Ronald Lester Knott

b. April 11, 1946

d. April 15, 2016

Lifelong Livermore resident Ron Knott passed away, at the age of 70, after a hard-fought battle with esophageal cancer. Ron will be remembered as a kind, gentle man, a beloved father and a loving husband- the kind of person you come across once in a lifetime. 

Ron graduated from Livermore High School, earned his Bachelor's degree from San Francisco State University and served his country as a pilot in the United States Naval Reserve, receiving an honorable discharge in 1969. Ron approached his roles as husband, father, and grandfather with a steady love and tenderness that, while unassuming, knew no bounds.

Ron will forever be loved by his wife Pam, his children Adam and Jessica, step-daughters Dana and Jill, his grandchildren Olivia, Michael, Adrian, Elijah, Emmy, and Zoey, siblings Don and Kay, as well as countless friends and family members.

Ron graduated from Livermore High School, earned his Bachelor's degree from San Francisco State University and served his country as a pilot in the United States Naval Reserve, receiving an honorable discharge in 1969. Ron approached his roles as a husband, father, and grandfather with a steady love and tenderness that, while unassuming, knew no bounds. 

Anyone who had the pleasure of knowing Ron was inspired by his committed trust and hope in the Lord. The strength Ron displayed throughout his life and struggle with cancer is surpassed only by his unwavering faith in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His was a life that demonstrates the true meaning of walking by faith.

Please join us for Ron’s Celebration of Life at Valley Bible Church 7106 Johnson Drive in Pleasanton on Saturday, April 23rd at 3:00 p.m. 

In lieu of flowers, monetary donations to Hope Hospice or The American Cancer Society can be made “In Memory of Ron Knott.”

Celebration of Life

Saturday, April 23, 2016

3:00 PM

Valley Bible Church 

7106 Johnson Dr. 

Pleasanton, CA 94588

Inurnment 

Tuesday, June 14, 2016 

11:00AM

San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery  

32053 W. McCabe Road 

Santa Nella, CA. 95322 

I met Ron at a BBQ last summer. He was ill, but pushed on for the rest of his life. He bowled with my husband in the same league. I am honored to have met him. What a strong man! You will be greatly missed Ron, rest in peace.

Peace and Love to your family.

Thanks for stopping by!

Wishing you success in all of your genealogical treasure hunts!

Celebration of Life Program Card ~ Held by Cheryl Palmer 

Obituary ~ http://www.callaghanmortuary.org/home/index.cfm/obituaries/view/fh_id/10804/id/3670766

Copyright © 2016 Cheryl Palmer All Rights Reserved