Ra Thi Nguyen

May 10, 1950 - April 20, 2023

VISITATION
A visitation will be held from 11:00am - 1:00pm on Sunday, April 30th, 2023 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 Sunday, April 30th, 2023 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 Nguyen family.

Lavina Keith

July 27, 1923 - April 18, 2023

Lavina "Mike" Keith passed away peacefully on April 18, 2023 at the age of 99. She was born July 27, 1923 in Lehr, North Dakota to her parents Valentine and Katie Zimmerman who preceded her in death. Lavina was also preceded in death by her loving husband of 60 years, George Brown Keith Jr. as well as her siblings Tillie Ensminger, Ella Massie, Leontina Zimmerman, Ephraim Zimmerman and Abraham Zimmerman, and her beloved daughter Charmaine Traverso. She is survived by her youngest sister Loretta Ensminger and her daughter Darlene Sinor, as well as grandchildren Anthony Traverso (Julie), Todd Sinor, Christine Lagorio (Steve), Michael Sinor and her great grandchildren Brittany Carter, Nicholas Lagorio, Amber Lagorio, Andrew Lagorio and great-great grandchildren Bryan Carter and Marcy Brown. Lavina and her husband enjoyed trailer camping at Lake Tahoe and Morro Bay, as well as many family vacations to Santa Cruz. Lavina was a great sports fan and avidly watched the San Francisco Giants and the 49er's on TV. She also enjoyed baking and cooking and loved her regular bingo outings every Sunday as well as occasional trips to the casino's. Lavina worked at the Stockton Credit Bureau for about 20 years. She will be greatly missed by her loving family and friends.

SERVICES:

A graveside service will be held at Cherokee Memorial Park, Lodi, CA on Tuesday, May 2, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. Donations can be made to the charity of your choice.

Jose Chavez

Jose I. “Chabelo” Chavez
May 10, 1936 - April 18, 2023

Chabelo, a resident of Stockton and Lodi for the past 65 years, passed away unexpectedly April 18, 2023, at the age of 86. He was born in Caballerias, Municipio de Morelos, Michoacan, Mexico to the late Celso Chavez and Natalia Torres.

At the age of 14, Chabelo came to the U.S. to work under the Bracero Program. In 1962 he began his career working as a Carpenter for PG&E until his retirement, during which he enjoyed spending time in Baja California.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Magdalena Maldonado, and leaves behind a widow, Maria H., six children: Gerardo (Maria), Teresa (Jesus), Manuel (Erendira), Leticia (Rene), Sylvia, Armando (Ana); ten grandchildren; five great-grandchildren.

VISITATION
A visitation will be held from 4:00pm - 7:00pm with a rosary starting at 6:00pm on Tuesday, May 2nd, 2023 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 Wednesday, May 3rd, 2023 at 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 Chavez family.

Asterio Alconcel

June 10, 1946 - April 18, 2023

VISITATION
A visitation will be held from 10:00am - 7:30pm with a rosary starting at 5:00pm on Friday, May 5th 2023 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 Saturday, May 6th, 2023 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 Alconcel family.

Maria Fajardo Garibay

January 24, 1940 - April 18, 2023

Maria Paz Fajardo Garibay, 83, of Stockton, CA, peacefully passed away in the late hours of April 18, 2023.

She was born to parents, Nieves Fajardo and Maria Canela on January 24, 1940 in Sayula, Jalisco, Mexico. Maria was married to Cecilio Chavez (deceased) and had two children. Later, years after Cecilio's passing, she met and married Isaac Garibay (deceased) when living in Mexicali Baja California and while working as a waitress in Calexico, CA. After a few years living in Mexicali, she decided to move to Lodi, California in the mid 1970's where eventually all of her children would join her.

Essentially as a single mother and separated from her second husband, Maria worked extremely hard to provide for her children and to be a mother. For more than half her years, Maria did it all including working long days in the fields and later at the Lodi Cannery. When the children were grown, she decided to stop working and enjoy the home life. During those years, she watched the family continually grow to 21 grandchildren, and over 10 great grandchildren.

She enjoyed traveling, taking care of her plants, the ocean, doing her hair and nails, and all the simple things life had to offer.

Maria was direct, had a great sense of humor, she was always happy, an amazing cook, and a joyful soul. She was giving and kind; went out of her way to still make all of her children and others happy. Her smile was contagious and her generosity was one of which many people that came to know her, eventually came to love her. In her life, although she endured much loss, and hardships, nothing slowed her down but in fact she exemplified the meaning of a hard-working and dedicated mother even more. After a number of years of being a naturalized citizen, Maria never gave up on her dream and in 2015, she became a United States citizen.

The family is mourning her absence but grateful Maria is now at peace and with the Lord. She will be deeply missed but remembered with great love by her entire family, friends, and all of those who had the privilege of knowing her. She is in God's Kingdom and watching over her entire family as she did on earth.

Maria is survived by her children Luis Chavez, Magdalena Chavez Gonzalez, Fermin Garibay, Ruben Garibay, Juan Garibay, Angela Garibay, Brissa Garibay, Rocio Garibay, and Benjamin Serratos but also by her grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

To plant a tree in memory of Maria Paz Fajardo Garibay, please visit Tribute Store.

Darlene Heil

May 27, 1931 - April 13, 2023

Darlene Kathryn Heil was born on a farm near Akaska, SD on May 27, 1931 to Daniel and Hannah Ladner, German immigrants from Ukrane. She loved learning, attending a 1-room school on horseback with her brother, Marv. At 13, she moved away from home, and worked for room and board to attend high School.
She determined to follow Jesus Christ as her Savior at age 9 and throughout her 91 years.

At Mobridge High School, Darlene found her true love, Donald Heil, whom she married in 1952. When Don returned from serving in Korea, they moved from cold South Dakota to sunny Lodi, California, where she worked for Dr. Arliss Sutherland as his dental assistant. She joined First Baptist Church. Soon, children, Robin and Brian arrived and Darlene became a delightful Mom.

In 1974 Darlene became a clerk for the Instructional Materials Center of the LUSD. She loved her work and made life-long friends with her co-workers. After enjoying her computer at work, it felt natural to have one at home. As the grandchildren grew, they realized that Grandma was not just a great cook and a talented seamstress, she was a whiz with her Mac… and she had “The Oregon Trail”! Retirement in 1993 meant freedom to travel for Darlene and Don until his passing in 2005. Darlene multitasked with grandchildren, great grandchildren, cards with dear friends, volunteering with “Mom to Mom” and the Pregnancy Resource Center, and mission trips to Mexico, and twice to India to speak at a Women’s Conference and to support Grace English School.

Darlene left for her Heavenly Home on April 13, 2023 where she joined her husband, Don, her parents, siblings: Vesta Stapf, Irene Lutz and Marvin Ladner, and her dear friend, Don Schneider.

She leaves behind her brother, Vernon Ladner, children: Robin (Steve) Skelton and Brian (Rhonda) Heil, grandchildren: Heather Quinley, Erin (Chris) Berumen, Brooke (Paul) Ruvalcaba, Noel (Lauren’) Heil, Kathryn Skelton (Josh) Dougherty and Carole Skelton, 16 great grandchildren, and a great-great-grandson.

They will celebrate her sweet life this summer.

Darlene Heil

May 27, 1931 - April 13, 2023

Darlene Kathryn Heil was born on a farm near Akaska, SD on May 27, 1931 to Daniel and Hannah Ladner, German immigrants from Ukrane.  She loved learning, attending a 1-room school on horseback with her brother, Marv.  At 13, she moved away from home, and worked for room and board to attend high School. She determined to follow Jesus Christ as her Savior at age 9 and throughout her 91 years.

At Mobridge High School, Darlene found her true love, Donald Heil, whom she married in 1952.  When Don returned from serving in Korea, they moved from cold South Dakota to sunny Lodi, California, where she worked for Dr. Arliss Sutherland as his dental assistant. She joined First Baptist Church. Soon, children, Robin and Brian arrived and Darlene became a delightful Mom.

In 1974 Darlene became a clerk for the Instructional Materials Center of the LUSD. She loved her work and made life-long friends with her co-workers. After enjoying her computer at work, it felt natural to have one at home. As the grandchildren grew, they realized that Grandma was not just a great cook and a talented seamstress, she was a whiz with her Mac… and she had “The Oregon Trail”!

Retirement in 1993 meant freedom to travel for Darlene and Don until his passing in 2005. Darlene multitasked with grandchildren, great grandchildren, cards with dear friends, volunteering with “Mom to Mom” and the Pregnancy Resource Center, and mission trips to Mexico, and twice to India to speak at a Women’s Conference and to support Grace English School.

Darlene left for her Heavenly Home on April 13, 2023 where she joined her husband, Don, her parents, siblings: Vesta Stapf, Irene Lutz and Marvin Ladner, and her dear friend, Don Schneider. She leaves behind her brother, Vernon Ladner, children: Robin (Steve) Skelton and Brian (Rhonda) Heil, grandchildren: Heather Quinley, Erin (Chris) Berumen, Brooke (Paul) Ruvalcaba, Noel (Lauren’) Heil, Kathryn Skelton (Josh) Dougherty and Carole Skelton, 16 great grandchildren, and a great-great-grandson.

They will celebrate her sweet life this summer.

Dawn Mensinger

August 2, 1932 - April 12, 2023

Dawn Elaine Mensinger passed away peacefully with her family by her side. She was 90 years old. 

She was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Robert Michael Mensinger and her brother Leslie Schmid of Stockton.

She is survived by her children, Stephanie Hernandez (Dirk) of Turlock, Marilyn Mendes (David) of Modesto, and Stephen Mensinger (Robin) of Costa Mesa. She is survived by her grandchildren Aaron Mendes, Heather Formby, Hilary Hernandez, Cole Mensinger and Hunter Mensinger and her great-grandchildren Doug Formby, Liliana Formby, and Logan Mendes. Dawn is also survived by her brother, Lewis Schmid of Irvine. 

Dawn was born August 2, 1932, in French Camp, Ca the daughter of Emil and Alice (Katberg) Schmid. She was raised in Stockton, Ca to a farming family in the San Joaquin Valley. She was a fifth generation Californian and a proud descendent of pioneers settling at Sutter’s Fort in 1845, before the Gold Rush.  Dawn met the love of her life, “Mike” Mensinger at age 16 while attending Stockton High School.  Mike was smitten from the beginning. They continued dating while in college and Dawn graduated from the University of Pacific, where she earned her B.A. degree in Education. While at University of Pacific she was a member of the Delta Gamma Sorority and passed that legacy on to her granddaughter Heather Formby. Dawn and Mike married on September 1, 1952, and shortly thereafter moved to Edinburgh, Scotland where Mike was stationed in the Air Force. It was there that they had their first child, Stephanie. Once back in the US, they made their home in Stockton, Ca (Morada) and had two more children, Marilyn, and Stephen.  Along with raising three children, Dawn was involved in Junior Aide of Stockton and worked as a Special Education Aide at Davis Elementary. She was also a member of the Eastern Star, McHenry Museum, American Cancer Society, and a 4-H leader. 

Her biggest accomplishment was her active involvement with Doctors Medical Center’s Service League for 34 years. She accumulated 25,000 volunteer hours and was recognized for the most hours worked of any volunteer, during a DMC Service League luncheon. She also served as a two term President of the DMC Service League, 18 years as Chairman of the DMC Giftbox, 14 years working the front desk and 2 years as an associate member. She also reviewed the DMC scholarship applications for the Junior Volunteers who wanted to continue into the medical field.  Dawn was one of a kind.  People were drawn to her warmth, her smile, and her laugh. She made people feel right at home, the minute she met you. Family was everything to her. She adored her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She looked forward to the visits and the phone calls. As many would say, “Dawn was the best of the best” at entertaining and hospitality. She hosted two wedding receptions for her daughters at her home and made all the food, with help from her friends. She also hosted many Rotary and Trade Club events and insisted on having the family holidays at her house. Dawn enjoyed her art classes, gardening, cooking, canning, drying fruit, talking on the telephone, and spending as much time as possible with her family. She was a faithful San Francisco 49ner and San Francisco Giants fan. Her favorite quote was “It’s a great life, if you don’t weaken.” 

SERVICES:

Services for Dawn will be held on Tuesday, May 9, 2023 at 11:00 am in the Evergreen Chapel at Cherokee Memorial Park, 14165 N. Beckman Rd in Lodi, California. Burial immediately following. 

Lunch will be at Pietros following the burial at – 317 E. Kettleman Ln -Lodi. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the DMC Service League – Memo: Dawn Mensinger Scholarship Fund. Mail to: Susanne Brokaw-Treasurer -2908 Blossomwood Ct – Modesto, Ca 95355-9100 and Community Hospice –Modesto.

Michael Ferri

May 23, 1950 - April 12, 2023

VISITATION
A visitation will be held from 9:00am - 11:00am on Thursday, April 27th 2023 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, located at 701 S. Pleasant Ave, Lodi, CA 95240

SERVICE
A service will be held at 11:00am on Thursday, April 27th 2023 at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, located at 701 S. Pleasant Ave, Lodi, CA 95240

Please leave your condolences below.

Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Ferri family.

Edgardo Tolentino

January 26, 1957 - April 12, 2023

VISITATION
A visitation will be held from 10:00am - 7:30pm with a rosary starting at 6:00pm on Monday, April 24th, 2023 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 Tuesday, April 25th 2023 at St. Anne's Catholic Church  located at 215 W. Walnut St Lodi, CA 95240.  

Please leave your condolences below.

Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Tolentino 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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