Danell Merck

August 11, 1971 - December 29, 2021

On Dec. 29, 2021 the world lost an incredible human being. Danell “Dani” Merck, 50, went to be with the Lord she loved so much after courageously fighting cancer for 16 years. Before she left, she let her husband and son, Steve and Joey, know, unequivocally, how much she loved them.

What a gift and inspiration she was for all as she fought her cancer. She became known as “Wonder Woman” by those who came in contact with her and deservedly so. She earned that nickname every day that she was on this earth. A huge void will be left in her wake, but all who knew her were privileged to see her fight cancer with dignity, poise, and even fun. Many remember her catch phrase “Whoo Hoo!” She left an indelible mark upon all she touched. One of her favorite plaques in her home said, “I Think I’ll Just Be Happy Today.” She lived her life that way.

She is survived by her husband Steve, son Joey, parents Tim and Nelda Mataczynski, parents-in- law Don and Pat Merck, brother Duane Mataczynski (Shannon), brothers-in-law David and Daniel (Gloria), sister-in-law Nora Hoffman (Rob), Aunt Ann Marie “D.D.” Mataczynski, Uncle Dale (Suzanne) Bensen, nephew Connor Mataczynski, and nieces Zoe, Jenna, Eliana, and Natalia Merck. She is preceded in death by her grandparents Louis and Judy Mataczynski and Sverre and Marzella Bensen.

SERVICES:

Inurnment for family only will be held at Cherokee Memorial Park in Lodi on January 28, 2022 at 2:00 p.m.

A livestream of the service for all will be broadcast at 2:30 p.m. and can be accessed at http://www.viewlogies.net/cherokee/5cADohUta?pin=219246 (PIN No. 219246). If required, for technical support call (415) 763-8439.

Donations can be made to the American Cancer Society or Autism Speaks.

Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Merck family.

Please leave your condolences below.

Gary Gray

January 20, 1952 - December 28, 2021

SERVICES:

Services for Gary will be held at 10:00am on Monday Janaury 10, 2022 in the Vineyard Chapel located at Cherokee Memorial Park, 14165 N. Beckman Rd. in Lodi, California.

Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Gray family.

Please leave your condolences below.

Manuel Mejia Garcia

April 26, 1949 - December 26, 2021

VISITATION
A visitation will be held from 4:00pm - 7:00pm on Tuesday, January 4th, 2022 with a rosary starting at 6:00p.m. at the Vineyard Chapel at Cherokee Memorial Park, located at 14165 N. Beckman Rd, Lodi, CA 95240.

SERVICE
A service will be held at 10:00am on Wednesday January 5th 2022 at the Vineyard Chapel at Cherokee Memorial Park, located at 14165 N. Beckman Rd, Lodi, CA 95240.

Please leave your condolences below.

Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Mejia Garcia family.

Raymund Sapasap

July 22, 1988 - December 26, 2021

Our dearest, Raymund Dave Colis Sapasap, 33, passed away peacefully while surrounded by his family on Sunday, December 26, 2021. Raymund, commonly known by friends as Ray, graduated from CSU Sacramento in 2015 with a concentration in Kinesiology. 

He was a car and Marvel aficionado. He loved his family and friends. An anchor. A comedian. Down to earth, kind hearted and reliable. These were all words and phrases that his loved one used when asked to describe him. He was kind, charismatic and friendly to all. 

Raymund is survived by his mother, Bessie; brother, Ronnel Jake; sisters Ruby (Randy) and Rachel. His niece, Cameryn Elani, and many uncles, aunts and cousins. 

He is preceded in death by his father, Rolando Sapasap (2009); paternal grandparents Leocadio (2014) and Emilia (2009) Sapasap and maternal grandparents Simplicio (2019) and Buena (2021) Colis. 

To Raymund, our son, brother, family and friend, may you Rest In Peace. We love and will miss you, until we meet again. 

VISITATION
A visitation will be held from 1:00pm - 7:00pm on Tuesday, January 11, 2022 with a rosary starting at 5:00p.m. at the Vineyard Chapel at Cherokee Memorial Park, located at 14165 N. Beckman Rd, Lodi, CA 95240.

MASS
A mass will be held at 11:00am on Wednesday January 12, 2022 at St. Anne's Catholic Church  located at 215 W. Walnut St Lodi, CA 95240.  

SERVICE

A committal service will follow at Cherokee Memorial Park, located off Highway 99 at Harney Lane, Lodi CA, 95240.

Please leave your condolences below.

Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Sapasap family.

Lap Pham

April 24, 1951 - December 26, 2021

VISITATION
A visitation will be held from 9:00am - 12:00pm on Tuesday, January 4th, 2022 at Cherokee Memorial Funeral Home located at 831 Industrial Way, Lodi, CA 95240.

SERVICE
A service will follow at 1:00pm on Tuesday, January 4th, 2022 at Cherokee Memorial Funeral Home located at 831 Industrial Way, Lodi, CA 95240.

Please leave your condolences below.

Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Pham family.

Buom Truong

February 11, 1940 - December 24, 2021

VISITATION
A visitation will be held from 4:00pm - 7:00pm on Thursday, January 6th, 2022 at the Vineyard Chapel at Cherokee Memorial Park, located at 14165 N. Beckman Rd, Lodi, CA 95240.

SERVICE
A service will be held at 1:00pm on Friday, January 7th, 2022 at the Vineyard Chapel at Cherokee Memorial Park, 14165 N. Beckman Rd, Lodi, CA 95240.

Please leave your condolences below.

Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Buom family.

Eleanor Bender

February 24, 1924 - December 23, 2021

Eleanor Patricia Schmidt Bender passed away on December 23, 2021 in Lodi, CA at the age of 97.

She was born in Lodi on February 24, 1924 to Sam and Kate Schmidt. She had one brother, Marvin, and two sisters, Loretta and Verna.

She attended Garfield and Salem schools and graduated from Lodi Union High School in 1941. Eleanor was married to Riney Bender for 58 years, until his passing in 2000. Together they raised 3 children,  Shirley, James, and Robert.

Eleanor and Riney owned and operated Richfield and Arco Service Stations until retiring.  After  retirement, Eleanor enjoyed many years of baking specialty cakes for friends, family, and the community. With her newfound talent, Eleanor met and made many new friends thru the demand for her beautifully decorated and delicious cakes.

Eleanor was a volunteer elections inspector for the St. Paul’s American Lutheran Church precinct for more than 20 years; something she took great pleasure in. She was a long-time member of the American Legion Auxiliary, spending many years volunteering for many events.

She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Shirley and Bill Kemp of Galt; son and daughter-in-law, Jim and Kathy Bender of Lodi; six grand-children; nine great-grandchildren; and extended family.

She was preceded in death by her siblings, husband Riney, son Robert, and grandson Ryan.

A private service was held for family. In leu of flowers, please send donations to the American Legion Auxiliary, Unit 22; 320 N Washington St; Lodi, CA. 95240.

Please leave your condolences below.

Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Bender 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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