Lawrence Barrett

January 18, 1950 - January 24, 2020

Lawrence, aka ‘Larry’ or ‘LB’, 70 of Stockton, passed away at home on Friday, January 24, 2020, surrounded by his loving family. Larry was born at the San Joaquin County General Hospital in French Camp to Anna and Lawrence Barrett Sr. in January 18, 1950. He lived his entire life in Stockton, attending local schools and graduating from Franklin High School in 1969. He served in the US Army from August 1970 to February 1972 during the Vietnam War as a Sharpshooter and as a Military Police. He returned home to work at the Railroad before starting a lifelong career in Law Enforcement. Larry joined the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office as a Deputy Sheriff in April 1974 and continued his career there until November 1995 when he transferred to the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s Office as a District Attorney Investigator. He retired in March 2006 as a Lieutenant with the District Attorney’s Office. He was a 2002 graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia. He had been working part-time at the San Joaquin County Probation Department since Fall 2012 as a Background Investigator doing Backgrounds and Internal Affairs.

Larry is survived by his loving wife, Janet, daughter Dominique Serros of Stockton, sons Arthur Serros of Stockton, and Thomas (Kris) Serros of Belgium, devoted granddaughter Alina Zarate, sisters, Patricia King of Oxnard, Peggy (Jerry) McMillian of Oak Harbor, WA, Janet Martinez of Ventura, mother-in-law Josephine (John) McGinnis of Manteca, sister-in-law Josephine (Jose) Martinez of Stockton, numerous nephews and nieces, and also survived by Bella, his four-legged companion. He is preceded in death by his parents Anna and Lawrence Barrett Sr., his sister Kathleen ‘Kathy’ Barrett Haase, brother-in-law Frank Martinez, close friend Kenny ‘Daddy Wags’ Wagner, and Reina, his four-legged companion.

Larry loved baseball, golf, hosting gatherings for family and friends at his home, and cars. His love of cars went from Classics to Hot Rods and everything in between, and he owned and built many over the years. He was a member of the Franklin Syndicate Car Club and participated in many Car Shows and Car Runs both in and out of California. Larry will be greatly missed by everyone who loved him. Per his request, there will be no service. He preferred that people think of the good times, have a drink for him and enjoy life. In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations can be made to Hospice of San Joaquin.


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Ronald Young

July 3, 1952 - January 21, 2020

Ronald Young, 67, passed away on Tuesday, January 21, 2020 in Lodi, CA. Ron will be remembered for his unique sense of humor, his love of music, his love for the Giants and his love for his family, friends and dog, Sammy. He will be deeply missed by all who loved and knew him. He is survived by his oldest daughter and son-in-Law, Cynthia & Eric Hughes and grandchildren, Madison and Hayden Hughes. He is preceded in death by his mother, Ann Young; father, Riley Young; brother, Roger Young and daughter, Christina Young.

SERVICE
A service will be held on Friday, January 31st, 2020 at 10:00a.m. at the Vineyard Chapel in Cherokee Memorial Park, located at 831 Industrial Way, Lodi CA, 95240. The final committal will then take place in Cherokee Memorial Park, located off of Highway 99 at Harney Lane, Lodi CA, 95240.

Please leave your condolences below.

Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Young family.

Carol Jean Llewellyn

August 17, 1955 - January 21, 2020

On Tuesday, January 21, 2020, Carol Jean Llewellyn, passed away at the age of 64. Carol, a
devoted animal lover, was born on August 17, 1955 in Walnut Creek, CA to Eugene and Patricia
(Williams) Mello. She was employed at Community Medical Centers and had resided in Stockton, CA for
the past 12 years.
Carol was preceded in death by her mother, Patricia. She is survived by her father, Eugene,
sisters, Terry and Janis, as well as five nieces and nephews, Kristi, Courtney, Jason, Meredith, and Aaron,
also survived by seven great nieces and nephews.

SERVICES:
A private family memorial service was held at Cherokee Memorial Park in Lodi, CA.

Kathleen Love

January 9, 1952 - January 20, 2020

On Monday, January 20, 2020 at the age of 68 Kathleen Ann Love passed away peacefully in her home with her loving husband James Love by her side. In her final hours she was surrounded by her four children and their families.

Kathy was born on January 9th in Belleville, Illinois to Virginia Ann McGuire and Joseph Dean Chandler. As a young child,Kathy along with her brother Jerico Chandler and sister Barbara Nestal moved to Oakland, CA. where they were raised by their mother. Kathy grew up in Oakland, or as she referred to it "the Hood" where she attended grade school through high school. Along the way she met many lifelong friends. While in high school, she found her true passion of being a hair dresser and made it her life's work to make the world better one haircut at a time.

Kathy settled in Lodi, Ca in the early 1980's where she established herself as a great friend, confidant, mentor, counselor and surrogate to many. She touched many lives and impacted each of those deeply. She loved to laugh, cook, entertain, redecorate, always down for a good craft, was an absolute warrior, was "Strong like Bull" and lived life by the mantra "feel the fear and do it anyway."

She was preceded in death by her mother, Virginia and father, Joseph. She is survived by her adoring husband, James Love; her children, Dawn (Phillip) Seelenbacher, Amber (Darren) Stewart, Tim (Amber) Litton, Emily Kinderman (John McGrath); grandchildren, Madison, Harlie, Katelin and Eliza Litton, Wyatt and Tatum Seelenbacher, Penelope and Henry Stewart; and her eleven siblings, Jerry, Barb, Connie, Greg, Clay, Cindy, Bobby, Judy, Missy, Richard, Cynthia and Todd. She was a loving wife, mother, sibling, aunt, and friend to whoever crossed her path and will be missed dearly.

Everyone knows how Kathy loved to have a good time with her family and friends. Her wishes for an end of life celebration would be just that. She wanted everyone to grieve, heal and wait until the weather warms and the calla lilies bloom to gather and celebrate her. We will share dates and times with everyone as we start to carry out her plan.

Please leave your condolences below.

Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Love family.

Richard Vargo

December 31, 1941 - January 20, 2020

Richard (Dick) Joseph Vargo passed away in the early hours of January 20, 2020, at Stanford Hospital. He was born to Mary Pysh Vargo and Joseph Vargo on December 31, 1941, in Elizabeth, New Jersey. After graduating from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1959, Dick went on to get his BA from Marietta College in Ohio, where he played baseball. After receiving an MBA from Ohio University, he moved to the University of Washington, where he earned his Ph.D. in business. It was there he met his future wife, Melinda Thompson. They married on Nov. 21, 1967 and were married for 52 years. Dick went on to teach at University of Southern California, William and Mary College in Williamsburg, Virginia, and University of Texas at Arlington. He found his home at University of the Pacific, where he taught for over 30 years. During his career he wrote and co-wrote 14 texts for accounting, financial planning, and church accounting. A highlight of his academic life was his experience in Poland as a university professor helping businesses and entrepreneurs make the transition to capitalism. He received recognition from Lech Walesa for his contributions to Poland’s transition. Dick loved life. His passion for baseball continued after his college playing. He especially loved watching his grandsons play. He loved traveling with Melinda and visiting friends and relatives around the world, fishing, and participating in Lodi’s wine community - as a taster and as an early member of Lodi Amateur Vintners Association. He loved playing and coaching soccer and was the faculty advisor for the soccer team at UOP. One of his greatest passions, shared with Melinda, was following the Blues, especially seeing local artists and, best of all, taking 14 Legendary Rhythm and Blues Cruises. But his greatest joy came from being with his family and especially his grandsons - to watch their games, to play catch or kick a soccer ball around, to read or watch sports on tv. One trip he put together that was especially meaningful to him was when he and Melinda took R.J. and Blaine to the east coast, where they visited Virginia and Washington, D.C.

Dick is preceded in death by his mother, Mary, his father, Joseph, and his sister, Roberta. He is survived by his wife, Melinda, and their three sons, Matthew Joseph, Blaine Alan, and Michael Tyler, and by Matt’s wife Dana and their two sons, Ross Joseph and Blaine Deleray. He is also survived by many cousins by blood and by marriage on both sides of the country and in Europe.

A Celebration of Richard’s Life will be announced later and will probably be held in March.

Donations are welcome in his name at PALS Animal Rescue, 1040 W. Kettleman Lane, Suite 379, Lodi, CA 95240 or to The Environmental Defense Fund, c/o Gift Processing, 257 Park Ave. South, 17th Floor, New
York, NY 10010.

Please leave your condolences below.

Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Vargo family.

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Stephen Martin

January 14, 1944 - January 19, 2020

VISITATION
A visitation will be held on Thursday, February 6th, 2020 from 2:00p.m. till 4:30p.m. at the Vineyard Chapel in Cherokee Memorial Park, located at 14165 N. Beckman Road, Lodi CA, 95240.

SERVICE
A service will be held the following day on Friday, February 7th, 2020 at 1:00p.m. at the Vineyard Chapel in Cherokee Memorial Park, located at 14165 N. Beckman Road, Lodi CA, 95240. The service will then conclude at a graveside in Cherokee Memorial Park, located off of Highway 99 at Harney Lane, Lodi CA, 95240.

Please leave your condolences below.

Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Martin family.

Lavern Schmidt

August 31, 1929 - January 17, 2020

Lavern has completed the mission entrusted to her by her Savior, Jesus Christ, and is now rejoicing in the presence of her Lord. She entered into the world on August 31, 1929, in Frohna, Missouri. She married Harold H. Schmidt on February 6, 1949 and she and Harold had just celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary last year. Her loving family includes Wayne and his wife, Gail; Debra and her husband, Mike Haas; Diane and David; along with five grandchildren, Erika Kambra, Matthew, BethAnn and Deanna; and three great-granddaughters, Riley, Blakely and Emma.

After a life-threatening illness in 1969, Lavern decided to pursue a career in nursing. She graduated in 1973 having earned an RN degree with honors. She was an RN Supervisor at Lodi Memorial Hospital for 30 years. Her love and compassion impacted the lives of both patients and staff.

Lavern felt a need for a small group Bible Study in her church. She and her dear friend, Denise Muhly, developed the LIFELIGHT in depth Bible Study program which is now used internationally and has sold over one million copies. Lavern's faith in her Savior, Jesus Christ, was an example and model to her family and all people who were blessed to know and love her. The legacy she leaves is that her children, their spouses, grandchildren and great-grandchildren walk with the Lord and are awaiting the reuniting in Heaven eternally with Lavern.

SERVICE
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, February 15th, 2020 at 11:00a.m. at St. Peter Lutheran Church, located at 2400 Oxford Way, Lodi CA, 95242.

There will be a reception in St. Peter's gym following the service.

Please leave your condolences below.

Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Schmidt family.

LaVerna Simpfenderfer

July 18, 1924 - January 16, 2020

La Verna Evelyn Simpfenderfer passed away peacefully in her sleep on January 16, 2020, in Lodi. She was 95. La Verna was born in Hosmer, South Dakota on July 18, 1924, to Reinhold and Lydia Goehring Sr.
She attended country school as a child and later graduated from Armour High School, Armour, SD in 1942.
She met her husband, Arthur Simpfenderfer in Tripp, SD and they were married on February 20, 1949. They moved to Lodi, CA where she worked at F&M Bank. Over the years they moved back and forth between Delmont, SD and Lodi, CA holding various jobs.

La Verna was a member of the Women's American Legion, The Women's Sewing Circle at Ebenezer Congregational Church Lodi, CA and a member of Zion Lutheran Church of Lodi, CA. La Verna enjoyed quilting, hand embroidery, playing Pinochle cooking and baking family recipes. In her later years, she enjoyed going to breakfast after church, mainly for the piece of chocolate pie and coffee.
She will be lovingly remembered by her children, Joelyn Orchard, Lodi, CA, Kendal Simpfenderfer, Lodi, CA, Terry Simpfenderfer, Lodi, CA; daughter-in-law, Connie Simpfenderfer, Lodi, CA; 8 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren with one due in February; brother, Jerald (Donna) Goehring, Dakota Dunes, SD; and sister, Arvilla Reich, Tracy, CA.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Reinhold Sr. and Lydia; her husband, Art; her brothers, Reinhold Jr., LeRoy Goehring; sister, LuCilla Dewald; and her son, Duane Simpfenderfer Sr.

Memorial service will follow at Zion Lutheran Church (105 S Ham Lane, Lodi, CA 95240.)

VISITATION
A visitation will be held on Tuesday, January 28th, 2020 from 4:00p.m. to 7:00p.m. at Cherokee Memorial Funeral Home, located at 831 Industrial Way, Lodi CA, 95240.

SERVICE
A graveside service will be held the following day on Wednesday, January 29th, 2020 at 10:00a.m. at Cherokee Memorial Park, located off of Highway 99 at Harney Lane, Lodi CA, 95240. A memorial service will follow at Zion Lutheran Church (105 S Ham Lane, Lodi, CA 95240.

Please leave your condolences below.

Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Simpfenderfer family.

Cherokee Memorial Park is a 501(c)13 non-profit company, owned and operated exclusively for the benefit of the community, serving Lodi, Stockton, Galt, Manteca and the San Joaquin Valley since 1940.

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