Benita "Bebe" Gomez

Benita “Bebe“ Gomez
March 21, 1941 - January 7, 2024

Benita Lial Gomez (affectionately known to all as “Bebe”)sadly passed away on January 7, 2024 at the age of 82.

Benita was born March 21, 1941 in Clarksburg, California to Helen and Enrique Gomez. She was one of twelve siblings who was later raised in Woodbridge, California.

We will always remember the fresh aromas of frijoles de la olla, her freshly homemade flour tortillas and goulash. We never had much materially, but mom was a master at making a humble home warm and inviting.

Her feisty personality and many wise sayings are what she will be most remembered for. She felt strongly about persevering and finding a solution to life’s many challenges. Giving up was certainly not an option. “Where there’s a will, there’s a way”, or “Nothing is impossible”, she would often say.

Generosity was one of her strengths, continuously putting others first. Many stories are told of her fierce and selfless acts that had an impact on many lives.

She had a unique way of communicating. “Check-check”, “pas-pas”, “tiki-tiki”, riddle-sounding at first, however full of meaning. Her quirky vocabulary will live in our hearts forever.

She is survived by a sister: Amelia (Jenny) Sandoval, her seven children: David Barrientos, Benjamin Ramirez, Ramey Ramirez, Helen Ramirez, Carmen Ramirez, Monica Garnica and Guadalupe Gallardo, ten grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

We would like to extend our gratitude to all of the family and dear friends (Retha “Cookie” Padilla) who reached out and prayed over her during her final days.

We will miss the legendary “Bebe Guns”, Rest In Peace.

SERVICE
Funeral Services will be held on January 26, 2024 @ 10:00 a.m - 12:00 p.m
Please join us at the Cherokee Memorial Park & Funeral Home in the Evergreen Chapel
14165 Beckman Rd., Lodi, CA 95240
(enter from Harney Ln. / HWY 99)
Celebration of Life to follow 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm The Moose Lodi Lodge
3824 E Woodbridge Rd. Acampo, Ca. 95220

Please leave your condolences below.

Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Gomez family.

Ol Chin

September 5, 1970 - January 7, 2024

VISITATION
A visitation will be held from 12:00pm - 1:00pm on Sunday, January 21st, 2024 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, January 21st, 2024 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 Chin family.

Satwant Kaur

January 2, 1932 - January 7, 2024

VISITATION
A visitation will be held from 2:00pm - 5:00pm on Sunday, January 14th, 2024 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 Monday, January 15th, 2024 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 Kaur family.

Bill N. Alexander

November 27, 1930 - January 6, 2024

VISITATION
A visitation will be held from 9:00am - 10:00am on Tuesday, January 23rd, 2024 at the Vineyard Chapel at Cherokee Memorial Park, located at 14165 N. Beckman Rd, Lodi, CA 95240.

SERVICES
A service will be held at 10:00am on Tuesday, January 23rd, 2024 at the Vineyard Chapel at Cherokee Memorial Park, located at 14165 N. Beckman Rd, Lodi, CA 95240. A graveside will follow at 2:00pm on Tuesday, January 23rd, 2024 at the San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery, located at 32053 McCabe Road, Santa Nella, CA 95322.

Please leave your condolences below.

Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Alexander family.

Andrea Samaniego

October 12, 1968 - December 13, 2023
“Though nothing can bring back the hour of splendor in the grass, glory in the flower, we will grieve not; rather find strength in what remains behind.”

VISITATION
A visitation will be held from 9:00am - 10:00am on Thursday, December 28th, 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 Thursday, December 28th, 2023 at the Vineyard Chapel at Cherokee Memorial Park, located at 14165 N. Beckman Rd, Lodi, CA 95240.

A graveside service will be held at 11:00am on Friday, January 19th, 2024 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 Samaniego family.

Josephine Nickell

Josephine Nickell
February 7, 1929 – January 6, 2024

Josephine Nickell was born on February 7, 1929 and passed on January 6, 2024.

Josephine Nickell is survived by her four children, Eduardo, Jose Luis, Hector, and Elvia, fifteen grandchildren and thirty great grandchildren. Josephine is preceded in death by her parents, Antonia and Escalante Florentino and sister Maria Florentino.

VISITATION
A visitation will be held from 12:00pm - 1:00pm on Monday, January 22nd, 2024 at the Vineyard Chapel at Cherokee Memorial Park, located at 14165 N. Beckman Rd, Lodi, CA 95240.

SERVICE
A service will follow at 1:00pm on Monday, January 22nd, 2024 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 Nickell family.

Elsie Frenzel

May 5, 1935 - January 6, 2024

Elsie Frenzel, 88, joined her beloved husband, Tom, in eternal rest on January 6, 2024. She was born on May 5, 1935 in Dickinson, North Dakota. They were married on April 27, 1954.

Elsie spoke fondly of her education in a one room schoolhouse, before moving to town from the family farm. Her responsibilities on the farm taught her excellent work ethic. In high school, she had fun being a cheerleader.

Elsie retired from St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Stockton as an Intensive Care Unit nurse. She had a heart for nursing and the I.C.U. Her skills and loving care touched many lives.

Elsie was an avid reader but also liked watching her soap opera, General Hospital. She was a big baseball fan and followed the Giants. Elsie enjoyed attending Church of the Presentation in Stockton.

Many a family gathering looked forward to Elsie’s halupsi (cabbage rolls). Winter time meant her delicious borscht soup was coming soon. Elsie was enthusiastic about holidays and decorated her home beautifully for each special occasion. She opened her home to family and friends. She will forever be in our hearts.

Elsie was the youngest child of Frank and Emma Kostelecky. She was preceded in death by her parents, her siblings Ted, Robert, Josie, Emma, Dorothy, Mary and Martha, and her husband Tom.

She is survived by her children Clayton (Rochelle) Frenzel and Tamara (Peter) Magallanez. Her grandchildren Melissa (Richard) Gromm, Thomas (Jaclyn) Frenzel, Phylicia and Kurtis Magallanez. Her great-grandchildren Nathaniel, Jasen, Ian, and Benjamin Gromm, Valentino Hernandez and Analicia Garcia, Roman and Leona Frenzel.

SERVICE
A service will be held at 1:00pm on Friday, January 26th, 2024 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 Frenzel family.

David Gregson Sr.

June 5, 1933 - January 5, 2024

David L. Gregson , age 90 , of Stockton California, passed away peacefully on January 5, 2024.  He was born on June 5, 1933 in Woodbridge, California. 

David was the most loving husband, father, and grandfather. David worked for Western Union Pacific Railroad for 47 years. He retired in 2002.

David is survived by his 4 children, David S. Gregson, Geoffrey Gregson (Breanna), Lindsey Wituki and Adam Gregson (Britnee),  8 grandchildren , Leslie Chigbrow ( Kevin), Angelo Uribe, Mikaela Gregson, Joseph Gregson, Dominick Witucki, Nathan Gregson, Hayden Gregson , Kylie-Ann Gregson and 1 great- grandchild, Dane Chigbrow.

David was preceded in death by his wife Patricia Gregson and daughter Pamela Gregory.

Interment is private.

 Please leave your condolences below.

Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Gregson family.

Guadalupe Almanza

February 23, 1937 - January 5, 2024

Guadalupe Guerrero Almanza, peacefully passed away on January 5, 2024, at the age of 86 in Lodi, California. She was born on February 23, 1937, in San Luis Potosí, SLP Mexico, to Manuel Guerrero and Marina Gonzalez.

Guadalupe, who was more commonly called Princess by her family and those who loved her, was the epitome of a solid and steady family matriarch.  The family believes she wanted to be reunited with her husband, Jesus Almanza, for his birthday on January 6th.  He preceded her in death just short of their 44th anniversary in 2005. He was the love of her life and the family is comforted that they are reunited once again.   

After moving to the United States with her young family, they all settled in the Linden area.  She had a seasonal career at the Linden Cherry Packing Plant and Prima Frutta Packing until she retired to be a full-time grandmother and caregiver. She was a loving and caring mother, grandmother, and was elevated to the status of great-grandmother in the last half of 2023. 

She is survived by her children: Jess Almanza and Annette Almanza of Lodi, CA, Elsa ala Torre & Juan Almanza in Memoriam of Stockton, CA, Kimberly Almanza and Carlos Almanza in Memoriam of Stockton, Ca,  Leticia Childress and Edward Childress of Lodi, CA, and Hector Almanza and Angela Almanza of Stockton, CA.

Princess, as her grandchildren named her, was adored by her grandchildren: Gabrielle Almanza Holliday and her husband, Tyler; Morgan Almanza Sola and her husband, Dylan; Haley Almanza Golston and her husband, Brian; Alexander Almanza, Christian Almanza, Maximus Almanza, Megan Childress, Katia Almanza, Jessica Childress, and Giovanni Almanza. She was also blessed with two great-grandchildren in 2023, Lucas Charles Golston and Marina James Holliday. She was adored and loved by numerous nieces and nephews, cousins, and extended family still residing in San Luis Potosi, Mexico.

Princess took great pride in setting the standard for what it meant to be a loving mother and grandmother.  She helped raise her grandchildren before they were old enough to go to school.  Recently her free time free time was spent spending time with her family, sharing wonderful memories, reminiscing with the music of her youth, attending to her chickens, and indulging in daily devotionals and watching novellas. She always made sure those around her were fed, happy and loved.  She believed very strongly in traditions and was also the life of the party, a trait that she passed onto her children. She liked to travel to Mexico to visit family and took great joy in celebrating the graduations, birthdays, weddings and everyday events of her grandchildren.  Her infectious laugh, her smiling presence and her quiet strength will be missed.

As our family goes forward without the physical presence of our beloved Matriarch, our Princess, we will do our best to continue her legacy of love, comfort, and playful energy. 

"To know that even one life breathed easier because she lived is to know she truly succeeded here."

 A service to celebrate Guadalupe's life will be held on January 16, 2024, at Cherokee Memorial Park, Evergreen Chapel, located at 14165 N Beckman Road, Lodi, California 95240. The viewing will begin at 9:00 am, followed by the service at 10:00 am. Interment will take place in the Garden of the Holy Family.

Flowers are welcome or the family kindly requests donations to the American Heart Association in memory of Guadalupe. Guadalupe Guerrero Almanza will be dearly missed by her family, friends, and all those whose lives she touched. May she rest in eternal peace.

Please leave your condolences below.

Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Almanza family.

Anthony Richichi

November 22, 1934 - December 23, 2023

Anthony (Tony) William Richichi, 89, passed away peacefully on December 23, 2023. At the time of his death, he was at home in Stockton surrounded by family. Tony retired from the city of Stockton after 37 years of professional and dedicated service. He was a Parks and Rec/Golf Course Supervisor. He enjoyed his job and made many lifetime friends during his career. Tony had a passion for the outdoors spending time camping, hunting, fishing, and golfing. When he was younger, he enjoyed working on cars and playing baseball. He was an incredible gardener and generously shared his bountiful harvests with neighbors, friends, family, and the Ambassadors Sunday School class.

Tony had a genuine and sincere regard for people. He never met a stranger and he was kind, friendly, and compassionate. He had a playful spirit, was hard working, appreciative, and a man of integrity. His smile would light up a room, He was funny with a great sense of humor and a contagious laugh. He lived life well, loving and serving his Savior Jesus Christ. He was a member of Quail Lakes Baptist Church where he attended regularly and volunteered in a variety of areas and activities. Tony was positive and encouraging and even during his time of infirmity he never complained but regularly recognized and expressed gratitude for the loving care he received from his family and that he “felt like a king”.

Tony, a lifelong resident of Stockton was preceded in death by his parents Samuel and Mary Richichi. He is survived by his wife, Judy, whom he loved and adored. She was truly the love of his life and they celebrated over 67 years of marriage. He is also survived by three children, Bill (Irene), Kris, Kim (Mike), three grandchildren, Brian (KaSandra), Colby (Amy), and Caley (Isaac) and one great-grandson, Vanya, and one great-granddaughter due in May. His family loved and treasured him. His absence in their lives is profound. His presence is sorely missed by all who have been touched by his life. It is with love and thanks that we say “good-bye” for now. Until we see you again.

A memorial service (celebration of life) will be held at Quail Lakes Baptist Church in Stockton, on Thursday, January 11th, 2024 at 2:00pm

The family requests in lieu of flowers, consider making a donation to the Stockton Gospel Rescue Mission or Bristol Hospice in Anthony’s name.

The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation, deepest gratitude and love for the outpouring of support and compassion during Tony’s long journey to his eternal home.

Please leave your condolences below.

Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Richichi family.

Kathleen Santos

Kathleen Santos
January 3, 1940 - January 4, 2024

I am standing upon the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength. I stand and watch her until at length she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other. Then someone at my side says:
”There, she is gone!”

MASS
Mass will be held at 10:00am on Tuesday, January 16th, 2024 at St. Anne's Catholic Church  located at 215 W. Walnut St Lodi, CA 95240.

SERVICE
A graveside service will follow at 1:00pm on Tuesday, January 16th, 2024 at the Copperopolis Cemetery, located at 444 Jackson St, Copperopolis, CA 95228.

Please leave your condolences below.

Cherokee Memorial is honored to serve the Santos 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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